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W. A. McClendon, 1895 



RECOLLECTIONS OF 
WAR TIMES 

BY 

An Old Veteran 

WHILE UNDER 

STONEWALL JACKSON 

AND 

Lieutenant General JAMES LONGSTREET 



How I Got In, and How I Got Out 




Montgomery, Ala.: 

The Paragon Press 
1909 



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LIBRARY of CONSnESS 
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Preface 



In my declining years I send forth this book as a narra- 
tive of some of the events and incidents of my past life while 
m the Southern Army. It embraces only a partial history 
of my life m camp, commencing with July 1861, and ending 
April 9th, 1865, while serving under "Stonewall" Jackson 
until December 1862, and under Longstreet until April 9th 
1865. It is written almost entirely from memory, and there- 
fore I do not claim to be absolutely correct, as forty years 
have passed since these things occurred, and 'tis said that 
memory is treacherous. I have avoided all harsh criticisms 
only where history upholds it. I have endeavored to avoid 
a repetition of profanity and slang that was so common in 
camp. All those who are acquainted with me know that I 
am uneducated, and that I make no claim to correct english. 
I am conscious that many mistakes have been made, and f 
respectfully ask the reader to cover my imperfections with 
the broad mantle of charity and accept this narrative only 
as a fireside conversation with an old Veteran. 

Respectfully, 

W. A. McCLENDON. 



WHEN WILL THE CONFEDERATE SOLDIER BE 
FORGOTTEN? 

"When the lion eats grass like an ox 

And the gallinipper swallows the whale, 

When the terrapin knits woolen socks 

And the hare is outrun by the snail. 

When serpents walk upright like men 

And doodle bugs travel like frogs, 

When grasshoppers feed on the hen 

And feathers are found on the hogs, 

When Thomas cats swim in the air. 

And elephants roost upon trees, 

When insects in summer are rare 

And snuff never makes people sneeze. 

When fish creep over dry land 

And mules on bycicles ride, 

When foxes lay eggs in the sand 

And women in dress take no pride. 

When Dutchmen no longer drink beer 

And girls get to preaching on time. 

When billy goats butt from the rear. 

And treason is no longer a crime, 

When the humming bird brays like a donkey 

And limburger smells like cologne. 

When plowshares are made out of monkeys 

And the hearts of Alabamians are stone." 

— By Mr. James Barson in Age Herald, June 9th, 1908. 



CHAPTER I 

THOUGHTS ON OLD TIMES BY AN OLD VETERAN. 

Dear Friend: 

An old man like I am sitting alone around a fire on a cold 
day with no sweet little boys and girls to be romping around 
musing over the events of the present, and what may be in 
the future, will naturally let his mind run back to events of 
the past. I said an old man, that is what the boys sometimes 
calls their father. "The Old Man," but I am not as old as 
some would suppose, nor wont be the next time you hear 
from me. So far I have had what some people call many 
"ups and downs" and if I am to be the judge the "downs" 
have predominated, but being possessed naturally with a 
lively disposition and it being sorter in keeping with my 
faith, I am inclined to accept everything that happens as 
an act of providence and complain as little as possible. Well, 
while musing over the past my mind ran back to Christmas 
time of 1860. When I go to town, I see very few of the old 
boys that were young then, that remembers the events of 
that time, and it is a great pleasure to sit with them and 
talk of the stirring events of those days when A. B. Moore 
was Governor of Alabama, when John Bright drove the 
stage from Eufaula in Barbour county down by Abbeville 
carrying the passengers and mail to and from Columbia in 
Henry county, and when the Whigs, and Democrats, buried 
the "hatchet" as a token of bridging the chasm that had so 
long existed between them politically and as a unit espous- 
ing the cause of the South that was then threatened with 
an abolition administration. In those days of which I speak 
the post office at Abbeville would be crowded at each arri- 
val of the mail from Eufaula, Sundays not excepted, as 
that was the mail that brought the news from the seat of 
government. I was a youth then, in my teens, but all my 
relatives were strong Southern people and politically were 
democrats, and ardent secessionists. I had a peculiar fond- 
ness for reading Southern newspapers, and whenever I saw 
anything that C. C. Clay, W. L. Yancey and J. L. Pugh of 
Alabama had to say, it would catch my eye. There were 



8 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

democratic leaders from other Southern States that were 
fiery in their oratory, I will mention a few. Bob Toombs of 
Georgia, M. L. Bonham of S. C, R. M. T. Hunter of Va., 
W. T, Wigfall of Texas, and the greatest of all was Jeffer- 
son Davis of Miss. All those that I have mentioned with 
many others were prominent leaders .of the democratic 
party of those days and espoused the cause of the South and 
as a last resort became ardent secessionists. The oratory 
of these men in the halls of Congress and on the rostrum 
fired our Southern heart, and when the call to arms was 
sounded we donned the grey, and under the "Stars and 
Bars" with a step to the martial music of Dixie and the 
"Bonnie Blue Flag" we went to the front to resent an in- 
sult offered to the South by her enemies. The people know 
the result. I am truly loyal now to the "Stars and Stripes." 
I glory in the United States, and am proud that I am an 
American. I still cherish a love for the "Stars and Bars," 
and as they were the colors of my first love, I guess that's 
the reason, for that love was so great that a spat of four 
years with the Yankees failed to suppress it. There are a 
few old timers living that remembers the stirring events of 
those days spoken of and the great leaders of the South that 
I have mentioned. The young of the present day only know 
of them from history and out of the few that I have men- 
tioned not one are living. That grand old man, J. L. Pugh, 
was the last to cross over. Well, we have now what is called 
a new South. I claim to belong to the old South, and others 
of my age had as well claim the same. The new South is 
clamorous for room, and says : stand back, old South, you 
have had your day, now it's our time and it may be right, 
as time changes the people change, or as people change time 
changes, I don't know which. 



CHAPTER II 

A REMINISCENCE OF OLD TIMES. 

Dear Friend: 

In the first chapter I said something about the Whigs and 
Democrats burying the hatchet. Some one might ask the 
question, did they bury a genuine hatchet, or was it an as- 
sumed name for the thing which bridged the political chasm 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 9 

that then existed between the two parties. Yes, it was a 
genuine hatchet, and as well as I remember it was bought 
out of the store of A. C. Gordon & Co., was brought out by 
Capt. J. W. Stokes, now dead, and after an address by John 
B. Taylor, suitable for the occasion, Capt. Stokes deposited 
the hatchet in a hole dug somewhere near the south veranda 
of the present court house, in the town of Abbeville, Ala. 
The hole was dug for the purpose of raising a liberty pole 
and the hatchet was deposited in the bottom under the large 
end of the pole. I was a small boy then, but I felt as great 
interest in the "Liberty Pole" as A. C. Gordon, D. W. 
Roach, J. T. McClendon, W. J. Singletary, or H. E. Owens 
did, but I had a great deal less to say, but I, with a great 
many other little boys of the town and country, thought 
it a big thing to be allowed to pull the ropes when the word 
was given to raise. These were exciting times in the poli- 
tics of the country. South Carolina had already passed 
the memorable ordinance of Secession and the people began 
to hold mass meetings, and invariably would pass resolu- 
tions resolving to stand by South Carolina. The mayors 
of towns, and municipalities of towns, and cities would 
hold meetings, make speeches, endorse resolutions, until 
patriotism would run so high until it would cause "hot 
times in the old town at night." The little Southern boys 
and girls became to be Secessionists, and all prided them- 
selves in wearing a badge of "Red, White and Blue." So 
much so, that red, white and blue ribbon was at a premium. 
South Carolina withdrew from the Union Dec. 20th, 1860. 
We boys in camp used to sing: 

"We honor, yes, honor bold South Carolina, 
Who cast her brave bark alone on the deep," etc. 

Florida followed on the 7th of January, 1861 ; Mississippi 
on the 9th; Alabama on the 11th; Georgia on the 20th; 
Louisiana on the 26th, and Texas on the 1st February. 
Thus in three months after the announcement of Mr. Lin- 
coln's election nearly all the Cotton States had Seceeded 
from the Union. These are matters of history and I only 
mention them as events of what was going on here forty- 
six years ago. Well, what did all this bring about? Boys 
to the front. At this time of which I speak, there were two 
first class military companies in this (Henry) County. The 
"Henry Grays" and "Henry Blues." A. C. Gordon, of Ab- 



10 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

beville, was Captain of the Grays, and T. T. Smith, of Co- 
lumbia, was Captain of the Blues. So soon as Alabama 
withdrew from the Union, and linked her fortunes with 
the other Southern States, Captain Gordon and Captain 
Smith, both typical Southern gentlemen, tendered the ser- 
vices of themselves and their companies to the Governor 
of Alabama, to defend with their lives the cause of the 
State, and the South. Their services were accepted and 
each captain ordered to hold himself ready to move at a 
moment's notice. These were days full of expectancy for 
those companies, looking every day for orders to move, and 
at last the suspense was broken, and orders came for the 
Grays to move, and on the 11th of May, 1861, many left 
the old town of Abbeville never to return. I had several 
school-mates, friends and acquaintances in this company, 
one particular friend that I never saw again, Warren 
Owens. I volunteered under Captain Gordon to go too, but 
I being so young my father objected and I was left to wait 
until I grew older. 



CHAPTER III 

A REMINISCENCE OF OLD TIMES. 

Dear Friend: 

No one knew but myself the anguish I bore, the sadness 
and loneliness that I felt when I was told that I could not 
go, that I would have to wait until I grew older. Some of 
my most intimate friends and associates had gone off with 
the Grays, and there was no enjoyment here for me. To 
dispel the gloom I would seek the company of what I 
thought to be my best girl. On one occasion I was in con- 
versation with her talking about the boys that had gone 
when she looked at me with a smile, and with a cunning 
expression of countenance, remarked that her sweetheart 
was off with the Grays. Oh, my! That was a stunner to 
this boy for I had fancied myself to be her favorite but I 
found it was all a delusion and I resolved to go to the war 
the first chance thinking it might be the means of changing 
her mind and her affections would be concentrated upon 
me. In the latter spring, and early summer months the 
North and South were actively engaged, raising, organizing 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 11 

and concentrating large armies at the most assailable 
points which was only a precursor of what happened in the 
future. Fort Sumpter and nearly all the arsenals on the 
Southern coast that was occupied with United States sol- 
diers had been seized by the Confederates without the loss 
of life. The first clash of small arms between the Federals 
and Confederates occurred on the 10th of June, 1861, in 
the low grounds of Virginia near Fortress Monroe. In this 
engagement the Confederates were victorious, and in his- 
tory it is styled the "Battle of Bethel." Hearing of so many 
victories for the South, and only a few getting killed, I 
began to think that the war would soon end and that I 
wouldn't get to smell gunpowder much less burn any. But 
all this time, and while these little scraps were taking 
place I was watching for a chance to get off. At last a 
meeting was called in Abbeville by some one to organize a 
company. I went. There was a large crowd in town that 
day, mostly old men and young boys. The old men would 
be in squads, juggling and caucusing about something, and 
I was watching closely, trying to catch on as to what was 
up, but at last some one over at the court house began to 
yell at the top of his voice, "Fall in! Fall in! form line 
here!" I fell into line with them. We formed in single 
rank reaching from the old court house across the square. 
All being in line I began to look for the captain. He was 
the man I wanted to see, but I failed to locate him. Mr. 
Henry Maybin and D. W. Roach seemed to be the leading 
spirits on that occasion, but I couldn't tell who was the 
Seignior in command. (Both of these old gentlemen have 
crossed over and gone, they were truly loyal to the South 
and made great sacrifices for the "Lost Cause.") After 
"right facing" and "left facing" and trying to obey every 
other command that was given on the street, we were 
marched up into the old court house, when some one (I 
don't remember who) occupied the judge's stand as chair- 
man, and in a rambling way explained the object of the 
meeting, saying the object was to elect officers, agree upon 
the color and material for a uniform, and also to name the 
com.pany. As well as I remember some one moved to make 
Mr. Henry Maybin Captain, and a vote was taken and Mr. 
Maybin was unanimously elected, and by the same process 
D. W. Roach was elected First Lieutenant. I don't remem- 
ber who the other officers were, but one thing I do remem- 
ber, that is, I was not even mentioned for the Fourth Cor- 



12 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

poral's place, which I thought I was entitled to on account 
of my military spirit. In voting upon the color, and ma- 
terial for the uniforms, they said it should be of a brown 
color made with cotton aids, the hats to be black, low crown 
with broad brims, and should be wool. The company should 
be called the "Home Guards" and should be for home pro- 
tection. Dear Friends, that let me out. I wanted a suit 
of English Grey, trimmed in black with brass buttons and 
a grey cap, and brown leggins. That was my ideal for a 
uniform. That was the last meeting of that organization 
that I attended, don't know whether they ever had another 
me; they intended to stay at home, and that didn't suit, 
me; they intended to sta yat home, and that didn't suit. 
So in a short time after that W. C. Gates, then a lawyer 
of Abbeville, began raising a company to go to the war. 
That just suited me, and as I was nearly 17 years my par- 
ents reluctantly consented for me to go. So I volunteered 
in his company, a step I never regretted, and I will tell you 
in the next chapter how, when, and where I got off. 



CHAPTER IV 

RECOLLECTIONS OF THE PAST. 

Dear Friend: 

I will have to defer telling you where I went until some 
future time. I can only tell you of how and when I got off, 
and of my first stop. I told you in the preceding chapter 
that I abandoned the "Home Guards," that was organized 
for Home Protection, and volunteered under W. C. Gates. 
This was in the early days of July. Gates had been com- 
missioned Captain and had tendered his services to the 
Governor, and was busy organizing his company for active 
service. All over the South the young men were volunteer- 
ing to go to the war, and it was not a question as to who 
would go, but who would stay at home to take care of the 
home folks. As to who would stay at home, was, a question 
for some one else to decide. I was fully determined to go. 
The more I read the papers, and the more I could hear, 
only increased my desire to get off. While the South was 
making these preparations the North was not idle in doing 
the same thing. She was organizing a powerful army in 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 13 

and around Washington, preparatory to the invasion of Vir- 
ginia, and the South was concentrating at or near Manassas, 
Va., about 25 miles from Washington, ready to meet the in- 
vaders whenever they came out from behind their breast- 
works. At last the Federal army advanced and the Con- 
federates met them on the plains of Manassas on the 21st 
of July, 1861, and after a hard day's battle, the Confed- 
erates completely routed the Federal army. The names of 
the chief commanders with their subordinates of both 
sides, the names of the troops engaged, are matters of his- 
tory, and I only refer to them as an event of this particular 
time. The complete rout of the Federal army at that time 
had a tendency to check my ardor, as I was ready to agree 
with some of our leading statesmen, that with that vic- 
tory for the South, peace would be declared in thirty days, 
the war would end, and I would not get to see a "wild 
Yank." But I believed Gates knew better, for he did not 
lose his energy in organizing his company. As well as I 
remember, about the 24th of July, the ladies of Abbeville 
presented us with a flag. We were drawn up in line in front 
of the old Academy when M. A. Bell, a lawyer of Abbeville, 
made the presentation speech for the ladies, when Capt. 
W. C. Gates in his eloquent and patriotic style accepted it 
for his companj^ accepting the flag with promises by him- 
self and company which he and company faithfully kept. 
Who those ladies were I don't remember. I only remember 
one, Mrs. Harper, a noble Southern lady of the highest type. 
She is now deceased. The company was named and is 
known in history as the "Henry Pioneers," and at this time 
it was full up to the maximum and running over. It was 
composed mostly of farmers' boys, a hael, hearty set of 
young fellows, and in a skirmish with the "Yanks" they 
found us tough stuff, and hard to drive. Gn the 25th as 
well as I remember Captain Gates informed us that he had 
received orders to m.arch, and that he would leave for Frank- 
lin on the 27th. This was glorious news, for I was growing 
impatient. He gave every man the chance to back out that 
wanted to, only one stepped out. Capt. Gates had to reject 
one on account of his age being too young. This youth was 
a long, lean, lanky fellow; fair skin, blue eyes, light hair, 
and would have weighed about 115 pounds. '\Vhen this 
youth was inform.ed by Capt. Gates that he could not take 
him tears were seen trickling down his cheeks. He turned 
his back upon us and went his way weeping. This was no 



14 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

other than our big-hearted, whole-souled "Bob" Reynolds. 
He went off afterwards and joined the 37th Alabama, and 
at Atlanta he received a painful wound, but he survived, 
and is living among us today a fine specimen of humanity, 
weighing about 250 pounds. Considerable difference of 
"then and now." On Saturday morning of July 27, 1861, 
I rose early and began making preparations for my de- 
parture. After breakfast everything being ready, I bid my 
mother and sisters farewell, and hastened to Abbeville with 
my father. There the citizens had furnished wagons and 
buggies to carry us, and our camp equipage to Franklin. 
Kind friends, did you ever have to say good-bye? It was 
a hard word for me to say. About 10 o'clock I bade my 
aged father good-bye. I never saw him again. His last 
words are still remembered, "My son, take care of yourself," 
and turning to Capt. Gates, said: "Capt. Gates, take care 
of my boy." 

Gates fulfilled his promise, as near as the arduous service 
would admit. We went on down to Franklin and there 
pitched our tents, went into camp and there waited for the 
steamer Jackson, which was to carry us up the river. Sev- 
eral things occurred this evening at Franklin, which I will 
tell of in the next chapter. 



CHAPTER V 

RECGLLECTIGNS GF THE PAST. 

Dear Friend: 

Franklin is in Henry County, a small village on the 
western bank of the Chattahoochee river, and on my way 
to the war this was my first camp. I will say that just 
before we arrived, Capt. Gates formed us in line, and 
marched us to a house where there was a long table spread 
with evei-ything that would satisfy the hunger of man. 
This dinner was prepared by our First Lieutenant, C. V. 
Morris, and other citizens of the community, who were 
watching and waiting for our approach. A large crowd of 
people had already assembled, and more were continually 
arriving, mostly relatives and friends of the boys that were 
from off the river, coming for the purpose of bidding us 
farewell. About 5 p. m. Capt. Gates formed us in line, and 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 15 

give the command, "To the rear open order, march!" when 
the rear rank marched two paces backward. This being 
done, he commanded, "Front rank about face," Then the 
people began to pass through, shaking hands with every 
one, with moistened eyes, and briney cheeks, speaking words 
of cheer, bidding us God-speed, and good-bye. This v/as an 
affecting scene. Aged fathers and mothers, brothers and 
sisters, and some of the boys' sweethearts were there to say 
good-bye. (My sweetheart was not there. I had already 
told her good-bye, and had, to some extent, recovered from 
the effects.) The parting between the Misses Codys and 
their brother Barnett, was very sad to me. I could not sup- 
press the tear, seeing the m.anifestations of love of those 
beautiful girls toward their brother. It is not my inten- 
tion to write a biographical sketch of the life of any one, 
but I will assume the liberty to say that I afterward learn- 
ed the cause why those girls were so devoted to their 
brother. On account of his genial, loveable and generous 
disposition, they could not help but love him, and for those 
traits of his character he became the idol of the company, 
and those of us that were living at the time he was killed 
at Gettysburg, realized that in the death of Barnett, H. 
Cody we had lost a friend, and the company one of its most 
useful members. He was in his teens, and had passed 
through all the grades of the non-commissioned officers, and 
had been commissioned Second Lieutenant when he was 
killed. I could say m.ore of this noble hearted boy, but will 
only say that his old comrades that now live to think of 
him will meet him at the general "Roll Call" to answer 
"here." 

But to return. After all this scene at parting we broke 
ranks, pitched our tents, and with great anxiety waited for 
the steamer "Jackson." This delay did not suit some of us 
for we were afraid the war would end before we could get 
there, and we wanted to be "going." Night came on, and 
while some of the boys were circulating around camp, one 
got too near the bluff, and over he went, but not into the 
water. The alarm was given and others rushed up to see, 
and over went another. This created more excitement and 
caused another rush, but they became more cautious, and 
"looked before they leaped." The boys got out all 0. K., 
without getting into the water, or being hurt. 'Twas here 
at this place that I saw all of our commissioned officers at 
one time. Wm. C. Gates, Captain ; I. T. Culver, First Lieu- 



16 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

tenant; C. V. Morris, Second Lieutenant, and H. C. Brain- 
ard, Third Lieutenant. Two of those are still living, Gates 
and Morris. The company numbered 121 men beside the 
commissioned officers, full up. As for our uniforms they 
were all O. K., being a red flannel shirt with grey pants, 
and was called out fatigue suit, which I found very much 
fatiguing at that time of the year. Think of it now, being 
clothed with thick woolen clothes on a dry, hot, sultry day 
in July. These things happened 45 years ago, and the 
thoughts of it today almost produces perspiration, but be- 
fore I get through with my narrative, I will tell of some hot 
times, sure enough. We were furnished a nice suit of grey 
for a dress suit later on. We had all we needed then ex- 
cept guns and ammunition, and something pointed out to 
us to shoot at. The whistle of the Jackson was heard down 
the river at about 10 o'clock. Gates hollowed out, "Take 
down your tents, boys, and be ready," which we did in a 
hurry. The boat landed and we hurried to get everything 
on board. When we got everything on board, Capt. Gates 
formed us in line, and we marched on board ourselves. Even 
at this time of the night the wharf was lined with spectators 
to see us off. All being on board, Capt. Gates had a few 
words with Capt. Fry, (the Captain of the boat) when all 
at once, boom went the little cannon that lay at the bow of 
the boat, the bells began to jingle, steam was put on, the 
wheels began to splash the water, when our noble little band 
composed of J. E. Harrell, A. A. Kirkland (Gld Betsy) and 
Stewart Merritt, having for their musical instruments a 
fife, bass and kettle drums, struck up the tune of "Dixie," 
when the "Rebel Yell" was given in full. Gates' company 
needed no practice or instructions as to how to give the 
"Rebel Yell," a yell that became famous, and which so 
often caused terror and dismay in the ranks of the Yankees, 
and on several occasions that which we failed to do with 
our guns, we would accom.plish with the rebel yell. I can 
give it yet, and when I am at our reunions and hear and see 
things that invites it, I just simply turn loose in old rebel 
style. 

Gur trip up the river was a pleasant one and was without 
an accident or incident worthy of note. We halted a little 
while at Eufaula Sunday morning. There saw some of 
Hart's company, the E. C, G.'s who informed us that they 
were going to follow us on the next steamer up. We landed 
that evening at 5 p. m. opposite old Ft. Mitchell on the M. & 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 17 

G. R. R. in Russell County, 10 miles southwest from Colum- 
bus, Ga. We were about one and one-half miles from the 
camp, and we were met at the landing by the "Brundidge 
Guards" Capt. Lewis commanding, as an escort to camp. 
We formed in four ranks (Hardee's Tactics), preceded by 
our escort, we started for camp. Our little flag of "Red, 
White and Blue" that we had received from the ladies of 
Abbeville was placed in the hands of M. G. Maybin, our 
ensign, and as the Southern breeze unfurled its folds, the 
boys looked upon it with pride and as a reminder of those 
they had left behind. Our line of march lay through a large 
plantation owned by James Cantey, who was Colonel of the 
15th Alabama Regiment, to which our company was attach- 
ed. Several companies of this Regiment had already arrived 
and were in camp. They were from Bullock, Pike, Lee, Bar- 
bour, Dale and Russell counties and on our way to camp, 
many of them had stationed themselves on the wayside to 
look at us. A great many funny remarks were made by 
them, such as, there comes the red shirted boys from the 
piney v/oods. There comes Gates' tigers, there comes Gates' 
Zouaves, and many other remarks too numerous to men- 
tion. We were too dignified to reply. We were in line 
and had assumed the positions of soldiers, and with heads 
erect and with elastic step, we marched on until we arrived 
at our camping ground, when we broke ranks, and the fun 
began. This was my second stop. 



CHAPTER VI 

RECOLLECTIONS OF THE PAST. 

Dear Friend: 

We broke ranks and the fun began. "Ge-whillikins," I 
never in all my life saw so many soldiers and tents. The 
boys that had already gone into camp there gathered around 
us, and began shaking hands just as though they had known 
us all our lives, and giving us such a welcome we felt good 
to be there. We said to them what we pleased, and they 
replied as they pleased, and no one became ofl^ended; all 
like brothers for one common cause. Here a tie was set 
up, that "old father time" will never extirpate or destroy. 
The wagons that had been sent down to the landing on the 



18 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

river after our camp equippage. Soon arrived, and we be- 
gan to pitch our tents in regular military order on the 
ground pointed out to us by an officer, whom I afterwards 
learned to be the Q. M. Night came on and we cooked sup- 
per, and after enjoying the usual camp gossip for a reason- 
able length of time we retired, and passed the night as happy 
as the "Buzzard bird that sported among the flowers," only 
to be awakened by the squeaking of the fife and beating of 
drums. This was at 4 a. m. and for the purpose of getting 
us up to answer roll call. "This is war at last boys," "we're 
into it," said some one. This was on the morning of the 
29th of July, 1861, and the first time the roll of Gates' com- 
pany had been called in a regular military form. I answer- 
ed at its roll call that morning for the first time and an- 
swered at its last call near Appomattox court house in Vir- 
ginia, April, 1865. Ft. Mitchell — this is our first camp, 
and the name suggests that there is a fort there, but not so. 
It's nothing but a large old field clear of stumps, surrounded 
by beautiful shade trees and a fine place for the mobilizing 
of small bodies of troops. Here the loth Alabama was or- 
ganized with 10 full companies, numbering in all about 
1200 men. The place is located on the M. & G. R. R. in 
Russell County, Ala., and is spoken of in the life of Andrew 
Jackson, the particulars of which is lost to memory and 
I shall not attempt to explain. I was anxious to see the 
Colonel, the Lieutenant Colonel and Major, and as soon 
after breakfast as practical I strolled off through camp, and 
upon inquiry some one pointed out to me Colonel Canty, 
Lieutenant Colonel Trentlin, Major Daniels, and several 
other officers of the Regiment. From my dress they knew 
that I v/as one of the new arrivals, "Gne of Gates' Tigers," 
and they had a great deal less to say to me than I wanted 
to say to them. They were disciplined, I was not, and I 
imagined that they looked upon me as an underling. I 
thought myself to be as good a soldier as they were, and I 
looked upon them at that time as being a bigoted set of fools, 
but I didn't tell them so. I afterward learned that an officer 
had to be a little austere to keep the privates from pulling 
off their shoulder straps, in order that good order and mil- 
itary discipline might be maintained, and as a private, at 
certain times I would be placed in position, where I could 
exercise authority and it was my delight to enforce orders 
which were as rigid on a commissioned officer as it was a 
private. I obeyed orders, and they didn't hurt me. We 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 19 

drilled every day, about in squads, and sometimes the whole 
company would turn out, then confusion would commence. 
We would become so tangled up at times that we were the 
laughing stock for some of the older ones, but we kept on 
trying and later on the "Red Shirted boys from Henry" be- 
came noted for accuracy in company drill, and the manuel 
of arms. We had dress parade every evening. We soon 
learned what reveille, and "tattoo" meant. Tattoo was a 
great deal easier to obey, than reveille. We would sit around 
our camp fires at night, tell old tales, sing old songs, box, 
wrestle, run, and jump, turn summersaults, pat and dance, 
and do everything imaginable for fun and frolic. We had 
crack singers in our company, crack story tellers, crack 
jumpers, crack wrestlers, crack runners, crack dancers and 
crack athletes. I was a crack at none of these things, but 
prided myself on being the crack shot, and was anxious for 
a chance. Occasionally we would hear some good news, 
when all the camp would give the "Rebel Yell." These were 
events of the first days of August, but we did not remain 
here many days, before orders came to go somewhere, and 
sure enough we went. Where? I will tell in the next chap- 
ter. 



CHAPTER VII 

"ON TO RICHMOND." 

Dear Friend: 

Before leaving our camp at Ft. Mitchell several things 
occured that I would like to tell. The most notable of these 
was our taking the oath of allegiance to the Confederate 
States, and being mustered into service for 3 years or dur- 
ing the war. Of course they gave us an oppertunity to back 
out if we wanted to, but it was no time for backing then, we 
were regular in and spoiling for a fight. The captain of 
each company drew for letters which indicated their posit- 
ion that each was to occupy in the line, Capt. Oates drew 
the letter "G" and our potition was between K and B, on 
the left wing of the regiment, a position we occupied all 
during the war. Our tents were branded with H. P. (Henry 
Pioneers) to distinguish us from the others. Tom Cargile 
from Eufaula named each company by its letters. We bore 



20 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

the Sobriquet under his naming of "Hell Pelters." I know 
the name of some others but will not repeat here. We were 
divided off into messes, and each tent marked, my tent be- 
ing No. 7. There was ten of us in mess No. 7, and only one 
beside myself is living to-day, and he received a wound at 
the battle of Chickamauga that made him a permanent crip- 
ple for life. Here we drew our arms, bright smooth bore 
muskets, and bayonets of the latest improvement. We also 
drew cartridge boxes and cap pouches, but did not get any 
ammunition. That was a feature of the drawing we did 
not like. I wanted to try my gun at a spot, and if I had, I 
would have run the risk of being court marshaled, for it 
was always against orders to shoot off in camp. We were 
as proud of our guns as the little boy is now-a-days of a 
toy pistol, or a little girl is of a doll . We drew knapsacks 
also, some of the boys would put them on and go dashing 
through camp as if they were stampeded, the straps flap- 
ing on either side seemed to increase their fright, together 
with speed until they run down, during the melee, some 
would hollow "Whoa! whoa!" catch him, head him, and 
not let him tear up his harness! They called it Jeff Davis 
harness, and it being the first time that they had been 
rigged up that way they feigned themselves to be a young 
horse being harnessed up for the first time, we had lots of 
fun then. Poor boys, they were having their fun then, not 
realizing what they would have to meet later on, only a few 
of them are living to-day. While we remained at this camp, 
we were drilling, and doing camp guard duty, and being 
instructed in everything that would qualify us for active 
operations in the field. All this time rations were plenti- 
ful, and were all that heart could wish. While all these 
things were going on we were constantly expecting orders 
to move, suddenly one day about the 20th of August the 
officers call was sounded at headquarters, when each com- 
pany commander attended to receive orders from the Colonel 
commanding. Capt. Gates attended, and when he returned he 
niformed us that he had orders to cook 3 days rations, and 
be ready to move at a moments notice. 

Glorious news, and the next thing we wanted to know 
was, when and where, but every one was at sea on that 
question, but it was up to us to get ready, and we obeyed. 
The next day however, the officers call was sounded again, 
our Capt. attended and when he returned he ordered us to 
strike tents, pack our cooking utensils as quick as we could, 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 21 

as he had orders to go to Richmond, Va. "Thank God, 
Hallelujah," was shouted, ''On to Richmond." 

We are going to the war at last. Our company and com- 
pany "F," (Brundidge Guards) were marched out to the 
depot which was near by, and boarded the cars for Colum- 
bus, Ga. On crossing the Chattahoochee river we said "fare- 
well to Alabama, we are going in your defense." We chang- 
ed cars in Columbus for Macon, running all night we landed 
in Augusta, Ga., the next morning. There the ladies had 
prepaired a long table, and supplied it with every kind of 
eatables that heart could wish, and we lined up on each side 
and helped ourselves. 

There we changed for Wilmington,N. C, passing through 
South Carolina we reached Wilmington at night and after 
crossing the Cape Fear river on a boat we boarded the cars 
for Petersburg, Va., there we changed for Richmond. The 
reception and ovations that W. J. Bryan is now receiving in 
Europe is nothing to compare with the receptoins and ovat- 
ions given us at the principle cities along our route to Rich- 
mond, in August 1861. To say the least of them, the cir- 
cumstances at that time under which these receptions were 
given us cut quite a figure in, "then and now." Our com- 
pany. Captain Oates commanding, and the company from 
Pike county preceded the ballance of the regiment to the 
camp at Richmond. The old white faced wonder Seth 
Thomas clock that has been counting of our time for 80 
years has just struck 10 and I will have to close this chap- 
ter. 



CHAPTER VIII 

AN OLD VETERAN IN CAMP AT RICHMOND. 

Dear Friend: 

In the last chapter I told you of some things that hap- 
pened on our way to Richmond but I did not tell all and I 
propose starting again at Ft. Mitchell, and to begin I will 
say that I never saw but one steamboat, had never rode on 
a car but once, and had never seen a town larger than 
Eufaula was at that time and taking everything into con- 
sideration I had never been a "hens scratch," from home 
(if you know how far that was,) up to that time, but my 



22 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

frolicing disposition and eagerness to get off to the war 
made me want to ride, and see the sights. While waiting 
for the cars to get ready at Columbus, some of us bought 
some watermelons, and we indulged in that luxury to our 
hearts content. The cars being ready "all aboard," was 
announced by the conductor, when Captain Gates and the 
Lieutenants busied themselves to see that all was on, and 
comfortably seated I occupied a seat with Daniel McLellan, 
he was a man of mature years, was of Scotch descent, and 
had a family, was also my neighbor and friend. I sat next 
to the window and he the aisle. The whistle blew and off 
for Augusta we went. The cars didn't run past there then 
as they do now, we run all night and had to change cars 
when we arrived . 

The longest stop was made at Macon, Ga., where we got 
out and strolled around until train time for Augusta. The 
place was all lit up by some kind of lights, so everything 
was bright as day, I remember reading a sign that night 
on one of the large houses not far from the depot, it read 
as follows: "The Brown House," a large hotel that now 
stands near the depot. Two years after that I received a 
furlough of indulgence and on my return to the Army it was 
my fortune to spend one night at this hotel where I met my 
old comrade and friend C. S. Kincey, who was on detail in 
the Medical department. He too has passed over. But I 
am digressing, on our way from Macon to Augusta, in the 
night I was seated as before by my friend McLellan. Late 
in the night I began to turn sick, my lips began to trimble, 
my mouth began to run salty water. Oh sick, I became 
all at once. Oh Daniel, hold my head, I leaned over his lap 
toward the aisle. Dont throw — on me said Daniel, and I 
didn't, but what I did on the floor of the car was enough. 
I had a brother-in-law and two own cousins on that train, 
and after my older cousin coming to me and giving me a 
drink of water remarked that he thought I would be more 
particular next time how I ate watermelons, and I thought 
so too. This was only a little sea sickness on cars. 

Notwithstanding the sickness I was ready for that fine 
breakfast at Augusta spoken of in the preceeding chapter 
for I was just right to enjoy such, and I did my duty. But 
while all these things was going on I could not help think- 
ing of home, papa, mama, sister, and my girl that I was 
leaving. Sometimes I would get what we call the "blues" 
and drop into a state of melancholly and almost be ready to 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 23 

sink in despair, but cheer up old boy, you are not near dead 
yet, there are many things to hear and see yet. I was all 
O. K. after breakfast. 

Boarding the cars, crossing Savannah river, we spead our 
way through South Carolina into North Carolina, crossing 
the Cape Fear river on a boat at night, thence to Weldon 
where we arrived between 2 and 3 o'clock a. m., to remain 
one hour. While there we were allowed to go out and walk 
around. Soon the train was ready and we started then 
without change to Petersburg, Va., where we had to wait 
sometime before we could continue our journey to Rich- 
mond. While waiting I had the pleasure of bathing my 
face and hands in Pocahontas Spring which was near the 
depot, and also near the Appomattox river, and while on 
my way to Richmond to the U. C. V. Reunion in 1896, while 
stopped I sat in the car and looked out through the window 
at the same spring and my mind wandered back when I 
thought of the boys that were there with me 34 years ago, 
which produced a sadness that I could not then nor can I 
now explain. The boys and girls of our country know who 
Pocahontas was, know what she did, how she lived, and how 
and when she died, so I will not stop to explain. While 
waiting on the cars to proceed to Richmond, only 22 miles, 
men, women, boys and girls, all having a cheerful look, 
cheering us on, and proud to see such a fine looking body of 
young Alabamians coming to their soil to fight the invaders 
of their homes. We bid them farewell, and sped our way to 
Richmond. On arriving and just after crossing the James 
river we disembarked from the cars and formed line, and 
was marched down by the river passing the Old Lybby 
prison and went into camp about one mile from the city, 
and some of the events of this camp will be told in the next 
chapter. 



CHAPTER IX 

THE OLD VETERAN IN CAMP AT RICHMOND. 

Dear Friend: 

Our camp at this place was on a narrow strip of land 
about one hundred yards wide situated between the York 
River R. R. on the south, and a high bluff on the north with 



24 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

a gradual slope from the base of the bluff to the R. R. On 
our way down to camp we passed the noted Lybby prison, 
used at that time to confine the "Boys in Blue" that fell into 
our hands. We called them tame yankees, but we saw others 
later on that was not so tame. 

They peeped at us through the grates in silence as we 
passed on without uttering a word of decision, though 
at that time we had no sympathy for them in their unfortu- 
nate condition. We were hard hearted then, but we learned 
later on to be more sympathetic, and render aid in meritori- 
ous cases which was reciprocated. Our camp equipage 
arrived on the same train and our company "G," and the 
company from Pike "F" that had preceded the regiment, 
proceeded at once to pitch our tents in regular Military 
style, and there waited the arrival of the other companies 
which arrived in due time, pitching their tents on the same 
plot of ground making it Camp 15th Ala. Our commisary 
deparlm.ent at this time was complete in every detail, fur- 
nishing everything we wanted to eat except, "corn bread 
and greens." This railroad that bordered our camp on one 
side was called the Richmond and Yorktown R. R., and was 
being used then in transporting soldiers to and from, and the 
frequency of them came to be so noticeable and being a 
great curiosity, that when we heard one coming either way 
we would rush down the slope and get as near as possible, 
in order to see the soldiers. One of our company, a fair, 
fat, tender, chuffy, good natured boy seemed to take more 
interest than the others in running to see the cars, and on 
one occasion he fell striking his knee against a rock, cutting 
a gash which was the means of stopping his runs a few days, 
and I doubt not but what that fellow carries a scar, a trophy, 
the effects of that fall to this day. His anxiety to see every 
passing train became so great, that he became to be a cun- 
spicuous boy, so much so, that when the whistle of an ap- 
proaching train was heard the boys would begin to call, 
Parish, Parish, Parish, and they would call Parish at any 
time of the night. I really thought that sometimes he would 
become irritated, but he was naturally possessed of a genial 
disposition, and would accept, and pass it, as a tease from 
his comrades and friends, and remain in a good humor. I 
may have something to say of this fellow later on. 

Our camp at this time was all life, even the four oldest 
men we had in our company seemed to have forgotten their 
ages, and become to be as lively as any of the boys. There 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 25 

were J. J. Wofford, C. S. Blaylock, Seaborn Jones and John 
R. Steely, familiarly known as Uncle John Steely. Blaylock 
and Jones died of disease during the following winter, 
Wofford and Steely survived the war and died only a few 
years ago, both reaching their four score, a visit to either of 
one of those old veterans during their last days by one of 
their old comrades was appreciated and greatly enjoyed. As 
soon as the field and staff officers arrived a camp guard was 
established, and sentinels posted with orders as rigid as 
though we were in the immediate presence of the enemy. 
Forty rounds of ammunition was issued to each man, and 
that created a suspicion that something was soon to happen 
and when I would be on guard from 2 to 4, a. m., I would 
draw on my imagination, and imagine that the yankee 
prisoners had broke out of Lybby prison, and would try to 
slip up on me as the Indian would do. These imaginations 
had a tendency to keep me awake, and I was one that all 
during the war never to be caught naping on post. We 
would drill four hours each day, 2 hours in the a. m., com- 
pany drill, and 2 hours in the p. m., Batallion drill, our drill 
ground was north up the hill from our camp and was on a 
level plateau that afterwards became to be the location of 
a large hospital called Chimborazo, I saw this place in 1895 
and will say more about it some time in the future, but 
suffice it to say that there had been a great change made in 
the appearance of the place during the 34 years that had 
passed. It is sad, for one of my age, to think of those days, 
and to think of the many bouyant and brilliant young men 
whose delight it was to romp over those grounds. Where 
are they today? echo answers, gone, gone, and you too must 
soon follow, and then what, and where, I knoweth not, but 
have an abiding faith and hope. 



CHAPTER X 

THE OLD VETERAN IN CAMP AT RICHMOND. 

Dear Friend: 

This camp was so full of incidents that it was impossible 
for the most indolent soldier to take the "blues." The 
squeaking fifes, the beating of drums, the music of cornet 
bands, the marching of well dressed, well drilled, and well 



26 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

armed soldiers with gorgeously attired officers on their 
prancing chargers, dashing hither, and thither, and occa- 
sionally the boom of a cannon could be heard in the distance, 
all had a tendency to drive away "dull care," and almost be 
the cause of forgeting the loved ones at home. All of these 
things I greatly enjoyed, for it just suited me, but I learned 
later on that every sweet has its bitter, for sometimes I 
would be on camp guard at night from 12 m. to 2 a. m., and 
would be invested with the countersign, and not allowed to 
stop walking for two hours, pretty tough I thought but I 
was in. I would become so lonely that my mind would 
wander back a thousand miles and imagine the condition 
and situation of things, and the loved ones at home, I would 
look at the bright moon and stars on my lonely beat and 
wonder to myself if any one on earth was thinking of me. 
In order to overcome this melancholly state of mind, I would 
begin to repeat poetry that I had memorized, and every 
speech that I had ever made when I was in school that I had 
not forgotten, and last but not least, hum on old love songs 
that would come to mind, but the one that best suited the 
occasion was an old song that another fellow sung when he 
was drawing on his imagination just as I was, when he 
began singing, 

"Backward turn backward, 

time in your flight. 
Make me a child again. 

Just for to-night." 

He had rather been a child that night and with his mxOther. 
I was sorter that way myself but I kept that to myself. 
These were conditions that a fellow would naturally get 
into at times, especially by one so young and had never 
stayed more than a week away from home folks and his girl. 
All at once while in this state of mind these delusions would 
be dispelled by some sentry, calling out at the top of his 
voice, "Corporal of the guard, post No. — ." This had to be 
repeated by every one on post, which tended to keep us 
awake, as I had already said, I never was caught napping. 

During our stay here I had the misfortune to have a large 
abscess (bile) on my heel, caused by my shoe which disabled 
me for a time from duty. I was excused by the doctor, and 
didn't have to go on drill, a thing that I regretted for I was 
always fond of drilling,but I would hobble to the drill ground 
and look on in order to catch what I could from what I 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 27 

could see and hear, (To the boys that are now living that 
was there.) Do you remember the morning when an alarm 
was given and the long roll sounded at this camp? I never 
shall forget it, and the scenes that ensued. Dear friend, I 
will tell you about it. One hot sultry morning in August, 
about 4 a. m., the drums began to wh-r-r-r when Captain 
Gates, the Lieutenants and orderly Seargeant, was out in the 
street in full dress calling and shouting to the men to wake 
up, hurry, and fall into ranks, the long roll was beating, 
get your guns men, "hurry, hurry." Everything in camp at 
that time was hurly burly. Where is my hat! Where is my 
shoes! could be heard from every direction. Some of us 
privates knew what the "long roll" ment, and I with others 
thought a fight was on hand right then and there. We were 
in line as soon as any of the other companies and waited for 
orders from Col. Cantey. 

While waiting some of the boys knees would tremble and 
their teeth would chatter as though they had an ague, and 
I guess mine did the same thing for I was no braver than 
some of the rest. We didn't wait long before here come the 
Adj't on his horse as though he was scared half to death, 
and seemingly in a very excited manner ordered Captain 
Gates to take his company up the hill in a hurry to the drill 
ground where the regiment would be formed, and off he 
dashed at break neck speed. This was Adj't Knuckolls of 
Columbus, Ga. This happened when the large abscess was 
on m.y heel and Capt. Gates offered to excuse me, but I want- 
ed to see what was up, and hobbled on up the hill and took 
my place in the ccmpany after it had took its place in the 
regiment. Being formed at early dawn the Col. called "Atten- 
tion Batallion," when he began drilling the regiment, one 
manuever after another in fast succession, until the perspir- 
ation began to flow freely from the men and officers causing 
a few to fag out. 

My position was in the front rank and very early in the 
commincement of the drill some one behind stepped on my 
"bile," and mashed it to pieces, it hurt so bad, and I got so 
mad I turned and drew my gun in a striking position and 
uttered language that is unbecoming a gentleman. Gne of 
the Lieutenants witnessed the occurrence and ordered me to 
camp where I ought to have been all the time. I appoligized 
to the fellow for what I said, and he begged pardon for 
what he had done in hurting me so bad, it being purely ac- 
cidental, he accepted my appologies and I did the same for 



28 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

him which settled it and we were as good friends as ever. 
It was the best thing that could have been done for my heel, 
for it began to cure up right away, but for the mashing it 
got , there was no telling how long 1 would have been dis- 
abled from duty. The regiment after drilling until the sun 
was about two hours high come into camp thirsty and tired, 
and had to hurry to get breakfast in time for the two hours 
company drill before noon. These days were very sultry 
and having to wear woolen uniforms made it very fatigue- 
ing when on drill, but the time come later on when they were 
a pleasure instead of a burden. There were other things 
that happened at this camp that I wish to tell, but I will 
defer them for the next chapter, when I will leave this place 
for Manassas, where there was a prospect for another bat- 
tle. That's what we wanted to get into, we wanted to try 
our guns. 

We were getting restless, and wanted to ride on the cars 
again. 



CHAPTER XI 

AN OLD VETERAN IN CAMP AT RICHMOND. 

Dear Friend: 

One morning in September 1861, while on camp guard 
with orders not to let no one pass, or approach my line 
nearer than six feet without complying with certain in- 
structions, I spied what afterwards proved to be a beautiful 
little maiden of 16 summers, come tripping down the hill 
towards my line with something in her hand, she came right 
on towards me regardless of anything as though she in- 
tended to cross my line, and go into the camp. When she 
came within a certain distance, I ordered her to halt and she 
did so, and with a lovely smile beaming in her face said, 
"good morning," I replied in the same manner and asked 
her what could I do for her, when with a smile she came 
nearer, extending her hand, asked me if I would accept of 
this little Bible. I thanked her for her kindness and said 
yes and asked her name, when she said her name was writ- 
ten in the book, and upon examination I found written there- 
in, "Presented by Miss Laura Brauer." She asked me my 
name and where I was from, and of course I told her, I 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 29 

told her my orders were strict and that I could not engage 
in a conversation with her while on guard, all the while I 
was looking for the officer of the guard, and no doubt she 
discovered my restlessness, she extended her hand and bade 
me farewell, returning the same route she came. I gazed 
after her with deep solicitude until she disapeared over the 
hill. It has never been my pleasure to meet with that little 
Southern girl since and if living, she too like myself is 
growing old. The little Bible I carried in my pocket through 
several warm engagements. It became so soiled from the 
effects of perspiration that I was afraid it would come to 
pieces, and when I came home on furlough in September 
1863, I left it with my mother and sisters, one of my sisters 
prized it very highly and it may be in her possession yet, 
I could say a great deal more about this little Bible but 
suffice it to say that its teachings kept me from committing 
many sins. While in this camp the Measles broke out on 
one of our boys, and on account of friendship existing be- 
tween his father and Captain Gates, and in fulfillment of 
his promise that he would take care of the boys, Capt. Gates 
lost no time in procuring a place at a private residence 
and having him conveyed thereto, detailing our 1st Corporal 
J. F. Melvin, then a young man of mature years and manly 
qualities to nurse him until he recovered. This was only one 
of the many kind acts of Capt. Gates to his men whenever 
an opportunity presented itself until he lost his arm in '64 
and had to leave us. 

And while on this subject, I take pleasure in giving public 
expressions to my sense of gratitude for kindness shown in 
times that tired men's souls, and will ever cherish a recol- 
lection of these things that occurred so long ago and feel that 
I would be no less than an ingrate were I to forget the kind- 
ness shown by my old Captain, Wm. C. Gates. In a previous 
chapter I gave only a passing notice of our drill ground, 
which the boys that are living will remember as "Chimbo- 
razo," and said I would refer to it again. Well, It is not 
the Chimborazo to-day, that it was when we were there 
drilling. After we left there it was converted into one vast 
hospital, and remained so until the close of the war. When X 
was in Richmond the 21th, 22nd and 23rd of July 1895, at 
the great reunion of the U. C. V., I cut loose from the im- 
mense throng of visiting veterans and alone started to see 
our old camp and drill grounds. I passed on down beside 
the James, and near where the old Lybby prison stood, the 



30 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

evening we passed it on our way from the depot to camp in 
1861. In passing on down I came to a hill on which stood 
a monument towering fifty feet skyward, that was raised 
by the people of Virginia to perpetuate the memory of the 
private soldiers and sailors of the C. S. A. It was sur- 
mounted on top with the image of a private soldier standing 
at parade rest looking Southward. When I reached its 
base I ascended to the highest step of its pedestal and sat 
down in the shade of its shaft, when I pulled off my hat and 
began to wonder "where I was at." Being alone and no one 
to talk to, I began to think and look. From this place I had 
a magnificient view South and East. Looking to the South 
there lay James river just as it was 30 years ago from that 
day with her sipling waters winding their way to the sea. 
I imagined that I could almost see "Drewrys Bluff," a 
famous fort on the South bank that the yankees tried so 
often to capture but failed until the evacuation of Richmond. 
The little borough of Rocketts that lay on the north side of 
the river had been torn away, and factories and foundries 
had been erected in the place of the Dutch and Irish shops. 
The Tredegar Iron Works were still there. Looking to the 
eastward toward our old drill ground, the hospital had 
been moved, and the place had been built up with mag- 
nificent residences. I went partly through it, viewing the 
beauty and grandeur of her magnificent shade trees and 
her broad gravelly streets. I traveled through the north- 
ern portion on a street car, on my way down to the battle 
field of ''Seven Pines," and was told that Old Chimborazo 
had become the residence part of the city. While resting 
at the monument that I have spoken of, and within a stone's 
throw of this spot there is a street, where that noble little 
band of about 25 of true Southern boys, a remnant of 
Gates' company, marched for the last time on the morning 
of April 2, 1865. There I was, all alone, with all these sad 
mem.ories of thirty years ago fleeting through my mind. 
How different my surroundings then, and nov/. God bless 
all true survivors wherever they be. "In that great day, 
oh! what shall the answer be." I will pass from these 
reveries and return to the incidents of our camp. The most 
and last important event was that of striking tents, falling 
into line, and marching through the city over to the Fred- 
ericksburg depot. But before we arrived there we were 
halted in a broad street and were reviewed by our Presi- 
dent, Jefferson Davis, and after passing through, he com- 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 31 

plimented Col. Cantey for our fine appearance, and said lie 
expected to hear a good account of us later on, which he 
did. The review being over we marched to the depot, and 
the whole regiment boarded the train, and after giving 
the "Rebel Yell" the whistle blew, and we were off in the 
direction of Manassas. 

It was glorious to be there then, but later on, what about 
it, I intend to tell before I finish. 



CHAPTER XII 

AN OLD VETERAN IN CAMP. 
AT PAGELAND NO. 1. 

Dear Friend: 

Our trip from Richmond to Manassas was attended with 
all the pleasure that the hearts of well drilled and well dis- 
ciplined soldiers could desire. 

Passing through many beautiful little towns and villages, 
the people had gathered to see the passing train, laden with 
soldiers going to the front. I guess it was a daily occur- 
rence for soldiers to be passing that way on their way to 
Manassas where Beauregard, and Johnston, was concetra- 
ting a large army, to be ready to meet the one of the federal 
army then organizing in and around Washington comman- 
ded by Gen. G. B. McLellan (Little Mc). The patriotic 
ladies and beautiful Virginia girls would be gathered at 
each stopping place to welcome us, distributing their fruits 
and flowers and cheering us on with expressions of delight 
when informed that we were from Alabama, one of the far 
away Southern States that had come so far to assist others 
in driving the enemy from their soil, they were delighted. 
We were the first Alabama regiment to pass by this route, 
although there were three other Alabama regiments in 
camp at Manassas, that went by different routes ; they were 
the 4th, 5th and 6th, and were engaged in the first battle 
of Manassas July '61. The train ran slow and we were all 
day making the trip. When we arrived at Manassas we 
were marched out about a mile into a piece of woods, and 
went into camp for the night. This was the first night we 
lay on the ground without tents. We had plenty cooked 



32 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

rations and did not have to cook that night. The next day 
our tents and camp equipage of every description arrived, 
and we were marched about five miles to a place called 
"Pageland" and there went into camp right. I don't know 
why it was called Pageland, unless a man by the name of 
Page owned the land, for it was nothing but a large old 
field with the Warrenton turnpike running through it, and 
near the battlefield of the 1st Manassas, and was a part of 
the battlefield of the 2nd Manassas. Talk about soldiers, 
here I began to see them. Comparatively speaking, I had 
never seen any before. You could see the tented fields in 
every direction, hear the command of the officers, hear the 
music, and could see them drilling in every direction at all 
times of the day, and soon we began to drill, and did our 
share. Our oflftcers were becoming to be well drilled and the 
more they improved, the more the companies and regiment 
improved. The days were warm and sultry, but the nights 
were cool. Here the measles struck our regiment and es- 
pecially our company. Here I parted with several that I 
never saw again. The water at this camp was not good, 
and the character of our diet had been changed, which had 
a tendency to impair the health of the men in several ways, 
which caused them to be moved to hospitals for better treat- 
ment. Many went, that never returned. Fortunately for 
me, I had had the measles and scarlet fever before the war 
broke out, and I was proof against those contagious dis- 
eases and I remained in good health all the time and in- 
creased in flesh. I had become hardened to camp life and 
only had one case of fever during the war. I had a peculiar 
horror for the hospital and prison and looked upon either 
at that time as certain death, but afterwards learned that 
a good hospital was the proper place for a sick soldier. We 
were so near the battlefield of the 21st, that we all had an 
anxiety to see it, so much so that some of the boys would 
slip the camp guard and run the "block" at the risk of being 
punished and go over and explore the field, and when they 
returned the fear of punishment did not restrain them from 
telling what they saw, and in order that those might see 
who would not run away and go anyhow, the Colonel per- 
mitted each Captain to take his company and spend a day 
on the battlefield. Captain Gates' time came and he march- 
ed us over and turned us loose, with orders to assemble at 
a certain place at a certain time. This was a picnic for us, 
what we term now-a-days an outing. We were like birds 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 33: 

turned out of a cage. We wandered everywhere looking at 
the sights. I had for my companion on that day, Charley 
Raley. Since the war, by some untoward circumstance he 
changed his name to B. M. Stephens and was Probate Judge 
of Coffee County. He became to be a wonderful man in 
many respects, but he is gone. I saw all that he saw and 
he saw all that I saw. One of the most notable places of 
our visit was the position of the 7th Georgia regiment in 
the battle of the 21st. It was in a clump of small pines 
that was torn with bullets from the ground up as high as 
fifteen feet. It was a wonder to us how that a man could 
live in such a place, but we learned afterwards. After look- 
ing at this place as long as we wanted to, we passed on in 
search of other sights of the battlefield which we soon 
found, and I will tell of them in the next chapter. 



CHAPTER XIII 

AN OLD VETERAN IN CAMP. 
AT PAGELAND NO. 2. 

Dear Friend : 

Charlie and I hastened on in search of other things, and 
the next thing of interest was a hill upon which stood the 
famous "Sherman Battery" defended by the "Boys in Blue," 
which played such havoc on the advancing "Boys in Grey" 
in their effort to capture it, and notwithstanding the terrible 
carnage, caused by the solid shot, shell, grape and canister 
shot that was poured into the ranks of the advancing 
Southerners who were determined to do or die, and with 
that intrepidity and valorous daring, which characterized 
the "Boys in Grey," those that lived pressed steadily for- 
ward until the goal of their ambition was reached. The 
battery was captured. This scene presented a horrible en- 
counter between the "Boys in Grey" and the "Boys in Blue." 
(Americans). The numerous carcassas of horses that be- 
longed to the battery was evidence of the terrible slaughter 
of them all around this place, and in fact on other parts of 
the field could be seen little mounds of earth, that was an- 
swering for a covering for a brave "Boy in Blue" who had 
lost his life fighting for a cause he thought to be right. 



34 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

These little mounds were very numerous, and occasionally 
one, and often two hands could be seen protruding and 
pointing upward toward the sky, having been exposed so 
long to a burning sun until the skin and flesh had dried to 
the bone. These were sad scenes and furnished food for 
reflection. At that time I was full of malice and hatred 
for the "Boys in Blue" and was just as anxious to kill him 
as he was to kill me, yet when I would stop and take the 
second thought, and gaze upon those little mounds I could 
truthfully say of the dead "Boy in Blue" that sometime, 
and somewhere, he had been "somebody's darling." Where 
it was possible, their remains have been removed and are 
being properly cared for by this great government of ours. 
In passing over the field, the line of battle of the contestants 
could easily be traced by the paper torn from their car- 
tridges while loading and firing upon each other, and the 
blood stained grass where some one had fell dead or wound- 
ed. In our ramble we came to the place where Colonel 
Fisher of the 6th N. C. fell, and the place where Colonel 
Bartow of Georgia fell, shot through the heart. History 
says of himi that "there, one of the bravest and most prom- 
ising spirits of the South was quenched in blood." A little 
farther on we came to the place where General Bee of South 
Carolina fell mortally wounded, near what is known to-day 
in history as the "Henry House." From the appearance 
and condition of this house, it looked as though, at some 
stage of the action, it had been a special target for the 
Yankee gunners. All those places were miarked by post 
being set in the ground with signboards tacked upon them 
with proper inscriptions on them giving information to the 
thousands that visited this battlefield, and although it had 
been three months since the battle, the evidences that a ter- 
rible battle had been fought were numerous. The position 
of the gallant old 4th Alabama was pointed out to us as 
being the place where Gen. J. E. Johnston seized its colors 
and offered to lead the attack. On that field that gallant 
old Alabama regiment won a name for herself that followed 
her until her star went down at Appomattox, and now in 
time of peace the memory of her gallantry is still cherished 
by all the true survivors of Laws' Alabama Brigade (laterly 
Perry's). Pardon the disgression and lets return to the 
battlefield and see the sights. Well occasionally we could 
see a solid shot, grape shot, canister shot and leaden minnie 
balls were numerous on the ground, but the most dangerous 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 35 

thing I saw lying on the ground was the unexploded bomb 
shells. I let them alone. I didn't disturbe their quietude 
in the least, for they were dangerous and I let them alone. 
We picked up as many minnie balls and other curiosities as 
we wanted and carried them to camp. Others did the same 
thing, and at the first opportunity we sent them home as 
relics from the battlefield of Manassas. Our time being 
out we assembled at the place designated, formed line. Cap- 
tain Oates marched us back to camp on time, and by the 
time we arrived we were a tired and wiser set of boys than 
we were when we started out in the morning. After reach- 
ing camp each one had something to talk and write about 
for the next month, but let me tell you dear friend the 
horrible, sad and exciting scenes of this battlefield was noth- 
ing to compare to what I experienced before the war ended. 



CHAPTER XIV 

AN OLD VETERAN IN CAMP. 
AT PAGELAND NO. 3. 

Dear Friend : 

After returning from the battlefield to camp, details were 
made from our company for camp guard and fatigue duty 
for the next day. The nearer we got to the enemy, the more 
stringent the orders around the camp. The fatigue duty 
consisted of policing the camp, looking after its sanitary 
condition, cutting and hauling wood, and going with the 
forage and commissary wagons to the depot at Manassas 
Junction, to assist in loading them with the supplies for 
man and beast. So many of our company became sick with 
first one ailment and another, until camp guard and fatigue 
duty became to be pretty tough on those that remained well, 
and notwithstanding all these duties, drilling four hours 
each day had to be done, consequently we did not have a 
great deal of time to cook, eat and write letters to home 
folks, and also to our girls that we had left behind. They 
were not forgotten, and it was a great pleasure that we en- 
joyed in reading a letter from them and answering. All 
along since I had left home in July I had kept my parents 
informed as to my health and movements. We received 



36 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

our mail regular and we didn't fail to answer, judging from 
the amount of letter writing you could see going on. Postage 
stamps were ten cents each and very scarce. We had not 
"drawed" yet, and we could resort to the "Franking" priv- 
ilege, a law that Congress had passed to meet this emer- 
gency, for the benefit of the soldiers. We could "Frank" 
and let her go, the home folks would pay for it, but we 
would not "Frank" to our girl, we always had a stamp to 
go on her letters, and while I am on the subject of letter 
writing, I will mention a little thing that occured between 
myself and A. A. Kirkland, "Old Betsy", when one day he 
received a letter I called him by name and asked him the 
news, when, with that old familiar smile he answered by 
saying, "what you recon." "I don't know," said I, "what?" 
He replied that "the cat was wearing the kittens shoes." 
Another fellow near by broke out in a loud laugh. "Old 
Betsy" passed on, and I was left entirely in the dark as to 
his meaning and had no further question for him. I soon 
learned it was intended for a "sell" and I realized it as such 
and was more particular with him afterwards. Well, I have 
already said that the water at this place was bad, and great 
numbers of the boys were being hauled off to the hospitals. 
Yes, all the boys that were with us then who are living now 
well remembers the hospital at Haymarket. This was the 
name of the field hospital that was established near the 
camp, and in August 1862 was a part of the battlefield of 
2nd Manassas. Several of my company died and was buried 
there. Some time during the latter part of October we 
moved camp farther east near "Bull Run" where the water 
was good, but rather scarce in consequence of so many 
having to be supplied from the same spring. This camp 
had no particular name, and the letters and oflficial papers 
were all headed "Camp 15th Alabama, near 'Bull Run, 
Va.' " etc. We remained at this camp two or three weeks 
when we moved again, this time crossing "Bull Run" and 
"Cub Run," crossing the former at the famous stone bridge 
on the Warrenton turnpike that leads to Centerville. We 
encamped this time in a large old field between Cub Run and 
Centerville, a little town 20 or 22 miles from Washington, 
D. C. We were now in the midst of a large army of vol- 
unteers from each of the Southern States, commanded by 
Johnston and Beauregard, who were preparing to meet the 
federal army that was only 16 or 18 miles away, preparing 
for their second "On to Richmond." While here at this 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 37 

camp I got my first glimpse at Wheats Battallion from New 
Orleans. They were all Irish and were dressed in Zuave 
dress, and were familliarly known as the "Louisiana 
Tigers," and tigers they were too in human form. I was 
actually afraid of them, afraid I would meet them some 
where and that they would do me like they did Tom Lane 
of my company; knock me down and stamp me half to 
death. That's the way they did Lane and I stayed shy of 
their camp. Two of them was courtmarshalled for insub- 
ordination and condemned to be shot to death with mus- 
ketry. The day of execution was set and our regiment 
with a great many others were marched to the place of ex- 
ecution to witness it, and after certain ceremonies by the 
priest, for they were Catholics, they stood up, when a squad 
of Tigers (their comrades) marched out in front and halted, 
then the officer in command gave the order "Ready, aim, 
fire" and they fell to the ground lifeless. They belonged to 
Taylor's Brigade and were brave, desperate fighters, and 
on account of their bravery, and daring, their organization 
was destroyed at Cold Harbor on June 27, 1862, and the 
Louisiana Tigers as an organization was known no more. 
A few days after the execution of the Tigers, Tom Lane 
was on camp guard one night, and Sam Learry of Company 
B., donned himself in a Zauave dress, and crawled unob- 
served to the line occupied by Tom, for it was he that Sam 
was hunting, and when Tom came walking along, Sam 
growled in a low tone, "A resurrected Tiger." Tom stopped, 
peeping through the darkness, he thought he discovered the' 
form of a man with his legs all streaked and stripped, and 
hesitating as if he didn't know what to do. Sam perceiving 
this growled out again, "A resurrected Tiger" putting on the 
Irish brogue. Tom clearly understood him that time, and 
without any hesitation made a dash for his tent, calling for 
corporal of the guard, and when Tom was called on to ex- 
plain, he said he saw one of them Tigers that had been resur- 
rected for he said so. Sam had run into his quarters, and 
was just having his own fun over it. It was so funny that 
the officers took no steps toward punishing Tom for leav- 
ing his post. Always after that when the boys would see 
anything streaked or stripped they would hollow out, "Tom 
Lane, here's your Tiger." This lasted as long as Tom lived. 
He was a good soldier and was killed at the battle of Chick- 
amauga, 1863. 



38 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

CHAPTER XV 

AN OLD VETERAN IN CAMP AT CENTERVILLE, VA. 

Dear Friend : 

While in camp at this place during the month of October, 
the Federal commander had tolerated the advance of the 
Confederates to Munson's Hill within a few miles of Alex- 
andria, and every attempt to draw him out into a general 
engagement proved unavailing, although it was daily invited 
by heavy skirmishing by the opposing forces that occupied 
the front. Generals Johnston and Beauregard having failed 
to draw the Federals out from their breastworks drew in 
their lines to Centerville, which was construed by the Fed- 
eral commander to be a retreat, which induced him to ad- 
vance his right wing against a small body of Confederates 
commanded by General Evans, near Leesburg on the Po- 
tomac river 10 or 12 miles northeast of this place. The 
Federals had their plans laid nicely, and advanced in such 
heavy force as to almost insure his capture or destruction, 
but Evans with his Virginians, and Mississippians pounded 
upon them by detail, and when Evans got through with 
them, their loss was computed to be not less than five hun- 
dred killed and drowned, and eight hundred wounded. Offi- 
cial figures give Evans' loss at 153 killed and wounded. 
After this lesson the Federals attempted nothing but send- 
ing out foraging expeditions which had brushes with our 
cavalry every day, but all the while the Federal commander 
(Little Mc.) was busy with the organization of his army, 
and improving its morals to a state of proficiency. At the 
same time the raw material of the 1st Manassas and the new 
arrivals of volunteers from the South were rapidly improv- 
ing in discipline, and soldierly qualities, getting ready for 
business next year. Some time during the month of Octo- 
ber, if m.y memory serves me right, we were put into a 
brigade composed of the 15th Alabama, 16th Mississippi, 
21st Georgia, 21st North Carolina, and if I mistake not the 
6th North Carolina batallion was with us also. All under 
the command of Brigadier General Crittendon. I think he 
was from Kentucky. About this time our camp was moved 
about four miles east of Centerville, and established on the 
left of the turnpike leading from Centerville to Washington, 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 39 

D. C, and was within eight miles of where the great Fed- 
eral army lay. This camp was called Camp Crittendon, 
named for the Brigadier. Our duties consisted in drilling, 
camp guard, and picket duty. The entire regiment would 
have to go about once a week and remain a day and night. 
We were nearing the enemy now, and every one had to be 
on the quivive. Here at this camp, that noble young man 
Jim Nobles, died. His remains were carried by his com- 
rades just across the turnpike and there laid to rest. His 
remains were preceded by the muffled drum followed by 
sorrowing friends. He was solemnly laid to rest with the 
honors of war. He was detailed from our company to act 
as color guard and was highly esteemed by his associates. 
Here we had brigade guard mounting every morning, which 
was a new feature in guard mounting. This was ordered 
by General Crittendon. It was at one of these guard mount- 
ings, one morning, that I saw him for the first time, and I 
don't remember seeing him again. He soon retired from 
this part of the service, and a Brigadier General of Balti- 
more, I. R. Trimble, .became to be our commander until he 
lost his leg at 2nd Manassas. Up to this time, we had not 
fired a gun, but were in hearing of cannonading down at 
the front every day, between Stuart's cavalry and the Fed- 
eral foraging and scouting parties. Our company was de- 
tailed from this place and sent down south of Centerville, 
to a place called Union Mills on the Manassas and Alex- 
andria Railroad near "Bull Run," for the purpose of iruard- 
ing an ammunition train. Here we had a jolly good time 
for about three weeks. Plenty good rations to eat, and noth- 
ing to do, only a little guard duty to do. We could fish in 
the day or night, just as we pleased. Here J. S. Calk, 
(Uncle Sim), George Newman, Jim Howerton, Dr. Gilles- 
pie, Punch Daughty, and others of the Grays paid us a 
visit. Uncle Sim and George Ne'w^man were crack fisher- 
men at home, and from the way they were talking and 
laughing about fishing we imagined that they had not lost 
the art here. I obtained a 24 hours' leave of absence from 
Capt. Oates and went over to Sangster's X-roads to visit 
my old friends of the Grays that had preceded us in May. 
After supper, we sat around and talked till a late hour. 
They belonged to the 6th Alabama and it was very inter- 
esting to me to hear them tell of the part they played on 
the day of the battle July 21st. They did not get into the 
engagement but did a great deal of maneuvering for posi- 



40 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

tions. I retired for sleep in the tent occupied by John Wil- 
liams, Dick Trawick, and others, and to my surprise, at 
about 2 o'clock a. m, Lewis Coleman, a Jew, who was cor- 
poral of the guard that night, came to the tent where I was 
and woke me up, saying that there was a man at the guard 
line on a horse that wished to see me, and upon investiga- 
tion I found it to be one of my company that Capt. Gates 
had sent after me, as he had received orders to move, and 
he did not want to leave me. I bid all good-bye, and some 
of them, I never saw again. We moved that day about 9 
a. m., and as our regiment had moved from Camp Critten- 
don where we left it, we had to keep marching until we 
found them, and at a late hour we found them in camp near 
Centerville. Here we remained the greater part of Novem- 
ber, when cold weather came on us, and some time in De- 
cember, we crossed "Bull Run" at Mitchell's ford and went 
into camp near Manassas Junction and commenced making 
preparations to go into winter quarters. The weather was 
becoming to be cold, much snow, sleet and rain had fallen, 
until the roads had become so boggy that it was impossible 
to move a heavy loaded wagon, and all expectations of a 
battle were banished for that winter. 



CHAPTER XVI 

AN OLD VETERAN IN WINTER QUARTERS NEAR 
MANASSAS, VA. NO. 1. 

Dear Friend: 

When we moved our camp from near Centerville, crossing 
"Bull Run" at Mitchell's ford, we went into camp near this 
place and began at once to make preparations to go into 
winter quarters. It had rained, sleeted and snowed so much 
that the ground had become to be a perfect slush, so much 
so that it had put a quietus on active operations of both 
armies, and they seemed to content themselves by watch- 
ing each other during the winter, and to get everything 
ready for active operations by the time the spring opened. 
Little spats occurred every day at the extreme front 
between J. E. B. Stuart's cavalry and the advanced pickets 
of the enemy. We could hear the cononading, but were 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 41 

too far off to hear the small arms. The canonading in the 
direction of Washington, and the report of the siege guns 
down at Dumphreis on the Occoquan (something like 20 
miles below Washington), became to be so common that no 
one would scarcely notice it. Dumphreis was held by- 
Hood's Texas brigade, that later on became so famous in 
the army of Northern Virginia. While all these things were 
going on heavy details were being made to cut and haul logs 
to build huts, details were also made to get boards. Alonzo 
Watson and myself were detailed from our company for 
that purpose, and we with about 30 others of our regiment 
who had been detailed, fell into line, and were marched off, 
commanded by Lieut. Jeff Pryor, of Company "F." After 
niarching 8 or 10 miles we went into camp in the heaviest 
timbered oak hammock I ever saw. The next day we were 
divided into squads, when axes, saws and froes were is- 
sued and we began to down the large oaks. I was just 
seventeen and fat and chubby and I would soon get out of 
breath, cutting and sawing. The officer was not long in 
discovering my capacity for such work, and he detailed me 
to stay in camp to assist the cooks, such as bringing water 
and wood. This job did not consume all my time, and when 
off duty I would go hunting for squirrels, and anything else 
that was large enough to shoot that would do to eat. We 
had plenty army rations, but we wanted some fresh pork, 
and the officer intimated that he would kill any hog that 
tried to bite him, and I was not long in taking the hint for 
I thought I understood what it meant. The next day I set 
out to hunt a porker, and at last found one in a field about 
50 yards from the fence I was at, and within one hundred 
yards from its owner. I crouched down in the corner of 
the fence, and began to make a noise, trying to coax him 
near enough to get a dead shot at him, but he didn't under- 
stand my language, and wouldn't come any nearer. I was 
soon discovered by the man of the house (a free negro), 
and he seeing his hog so near me, he began to make a noise, 
the hog raised his head, listened a moment, when he broke 
and run to the house. I then realized that I had made a 
"triumphant failure" in my first effort to steal a hog, and 
that was my last. I reported to the boys in camp my luck, 
and they insisted that I should try again, but I wouldn't 
consent. During our stay at this place there came a heavy 
snow, and I went coon hunting one day, and was not long 
in tracking one to a large white oak tree, which had signs 



42 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

about the top that it might be his den. I made this known 
to Alonzo Watson, and he said we would cut the tree down 
and catch him. I had my doubts, for I was not used to 
catching coons without a dog, for I knew they would fight 
and scratch for all they were worth, but Lonzo was not 
afraid, and we cut the tree down, and as soon as it hit 
the ground Lonzo stopped the hole with his cap. I cut a 
good size hole to the hollow which happened to be opposite 
the coon's head, and Lonzo seiged him with both hands 
around the neck and began to choke him. The coon turned 
up both hind legs and began to scratch and squall. I 
slapped my hands and hollowed, "hold him!" "hold him!" 
Lonzy! I never saw such scratched up hands before nor 
since, but he was good grit in every respect, and by his 
continuous holding on and choking, and pressing the coon 
against the log, the coon became still, and we carried him 
to camp, skinned him, and then I boiled him as good as I 
could, and then baked him, and after all that was done I 
gave my share to others. I was not fond of coon then, and 
I haven't changed yet. We remained down here getting 
boards about two weeks, the wagons hauling every day un- 
til they said enough, when we were ordered back to camp. 
I enjoyed that outing greatly and was sorry that I could not 
stay longer. When we reached camp the huts had been put 
up, the cracks daubed with clay and nearly all covered. 
My mess had built a house long enough to have a fire-place 
at each end, and bunks enough to sleep twelve men. Here 
one of our mess had the itch, and you never saw such 
scratching and clawing as he done, and if he is living and 
sees this his mind will revert back to the tim.e and place of 
his torture when he applied the Polk root fried in bacon- 
grease as a remedy. Great Scott! this only added fuel to 
the fire, and many funny remarks were made by himself 
and others, all of which was enjoyed by all hands. While 
I am on the incidents of this camp I will say that here I saw 
for the first time a "booger," but not for the last by any 
means. One of our mess had been off to a hospital and 
when he returned one of these "boogers" was found on him 
and he was immediately quarrentined by placing him by 
himself on one end of the lowest bunks we had. We were 
disposed to ridicule him for filthiness, but later on they be- 
came bodily companions and were so numerous that they 
would furnish employment for us when we had nothing else 
to do. These bodily companions had many nick names. 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 43 

"Old Betsey" called them "dandruff with leggins," when the 
hair on our heads would become involved. A war of ex- 
termination was incessently waged all the time, which only 
put a moderate check on their increase until the latter years 
of the war their power began to wane and when peace was 
made, we parted company to know them no more. 



CHAPTER XVII 

AN OLD VETERAN IN WINTER QUARTERS. 
NEAR MANASSAS, VA. NO. 2. 

Dear Friend : 

I will now tell you something of our clothing and money. 
I had forgotten to mention them as two important events of 
our camp over near Centerville. Well, it was at this camp 
during the month of November that we drew our grey dress 
uniforms that had been promised. Our measure was taken 
during the month of September while in camp at Richmond, 
and we had almost despaired of getting them, but they came 
at last, and the joy of their arrival and delivery was not 
without its sadness, for several of the boys had died since 
the measure had been taken and were not present to answer 
when their names were called, and I don't remember what 
disposition was made of their uniforms. Some of us young- 
sters had grown so, until it was some difficulty to be fitted, 
but by changing around we were fitted out and we felt as 
proud as a peacock looks to be when in full strut. Some of 
the older ones did not like the cut of the coat, nor the shape 
of the cap. The coats were "scissor tailed" and the caps 
were the kind that fell over in front with a place for letters. 
Ours had H. P. Co. "G" 15th Alabama Volunteers. After 
being fitted out in our new uniforms we compared favor- 
ably in dress Vs^ith the 7th Louisiana, and 1st Kentucky regi- 
ments. I mention these two, for they were the best dressed 
regiments I saw during the war. We also drew good woolen 
overcoats, a Godsend for that particular time, for we were 
experiencing some of the coldest weather we ever saw. 
It would rain, sleet and snow, and the cold wind from the 
snow capped peaks from the "Blue Ridge" moun- 
tains that we could see in ihe distance blew so 



44 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

strong that it was a difficult matter to keep our tents up. 
We had good wall tents and could keep dry, but our fires 
were outside and in trying to keep warm one side would 
burn while the other would freeze, and would have to keep 
turning around. This was a pretty tough time, but I saw 
worse before the war ended. Here we drew our first money, 
two months pay; twenty-two dollars for the privates and a 
little more for the non-commissioned officers. The bills 
were on the bank of Charleston, S. C. I don't think that 
there had been any Confederate money stamped at that 
time. We had money then to buy writing paper, postage 
stamps, apples, cakes, candy, ground peas and chestnuts. 
I mention these things because the camp was flooded with 
these articles as soon as it was known that the army had 
been paid off. All during the winter we had our share of 
picket duty to do by going five or six miles to the front and 
remaining two or three days. It mattered not how cold it 
was, we had to go. The Yankees had to be watched and 
they were just as vigilent in watching us. I very well re- 
member the day the battle of Drainsville was fought, it 
was on the 20th day of December and we were marching 
through the little town of Centerville on our way to the 
picket post, we heard the report of cannon in fast succes- 
sion and a dull roaring sound resembling the muttering 
sound of distant thunder, which we took to be the sound of 
small arms. We raised the "Rebel yell" and quickened our 
step for about three miles. The excitement, and the rapid- 
ity of our march had caused us to be thoroughly warmed up 
by the time we had reached the place of our destination. 
We were sure that we were going as reinforcements, and 
that a craving for a fight was going to be gratified, but we 
were disappointed. We arrived at the picket post, and in- 
stead of going on we were halted, and details were made to 
go on post to relieve those that had been on two or three 
days. We soon learned that the battle was but a small af- 
fair, and had resulted disastrously for the Federals, as their 
loss was heavy considering the number engaged. This 
picket post was on the Little River turnpike at a place 
called Chantills, where we met the Federals the following 
September and had a severe engagement with them for 
about one hour, the particulars I will give later on. With- 
out any incident or accident we served out our time, and in 
due time we were relieved and returned to winter quarters 
and there spent the Christmas of 1861, snow balling and 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 45 

doing other things for amusement. While at this camp I 
was strolling around outside the guard line and I came to 
two graves that had been made during the winter, each one 
had a neat head-board and my attention was called to the 
lettering of each that was placed thereon for identification, 
and upon examination I found them to be the last resting 
place of two that I knew at home. One was marken T. S. 
Harvey, Co. "B," 6th Alabama. He was a citizen of Abbe- 
ville at the outbreak of the war and was a member of the 
Henry Greys (A. C. Gordons Company). The other one 

was Bell of the same Company and regiment. They 

were buried on the right of the road that leads from Ma- 
nassas to Centerville, via Mitchells ford on "Bull Run." 
We remained in these quarters during the winter with noth- 
ing to do except to do guard duty, go on picket and drill, 
when the weather was suitable. There was a good deal of 
sickness in camp and our ranks had been thinned consider- 
ably. Some had become so afflicted that they were dis- 
charged for disability to stand the service. Others were 
granted furloughs home where they could recuperate and 
return to service, and by this means many were restored to 
health and returned, and made good soldiers. As for my- 
self, nothing would not take hold of me, and consequently I 
remained, but after awhile I was overtaken and had to give 
up, of which I will tell later on. I will give you a little ex- 
perience that I had with some Irishmen up at Manassas 
Junction one day. I had a permit to visit the place, and 
v/hile there I fell in with these Irishmen and they appeared 
to be a little "drinky" and full of fun. They had bought a 
dozen or more of stick broomiS and were going to carry 
them to camp and when time come for us to leave they 
asked me to go down with them on a hand car, all right as 
I knew it went near my camp. Their camp was on the east 
side of Bull Run, and it was down grade when we came 
opposite my camp and the thing was running at the rate of 
2:40, and I hollowed out "hold up, hold up." "Hold up 
nothing, nothing, be Jasus hold on" they said and made no 
effort to stop. I had to get off; I picked my chance to leap, 
and when I did about half their brooms followed, though 
unintentionally. They shocked their fist at me and went 
on. 



46 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 



CHAPTER XVIII 

AN OLD VETERAN IN WINTER QUARTERS. 
NEAR MANASSAS NO. 3. 

Dear Friend : 

While we were quietly passing off the winter at this place 
there had been several collisions between the Federals and 
Confederates in other parts of the South with alternate suc- 
cess. These conflicts were between small bodies of troops 
compared to the army of the Potomac (Northern) and the 
army of Northern Virginia (Southern). Some of these 
conflicts however small, resulted very disastrously to the 
South. While it is not my intention to write a report on 
these particular engagements as they have already passed 
into history. I only refer to then as events of the latter part 
of the winter of '61 and the early winter of '62, and shall 
leave it with you to search history for information on these 
things. While these things were going on in the western 
armies, the Federals in the east were making gigantic prep- 
arations to overwhelm Johnston's little Southern army that 
was in winter quarters around Manassas Junction and Cen- 
terville. On March the 1st, 1862, the federal army in and 
around Washington numbered 193,142, fit for duty with a 
grand aggregate of 221,987 and Johnston with not exceed- 
ing forty thousand, was all that stood between this enor- 
mous force and Richmond, the Capital of the Confederacy. 
Johnston had detached "Stonewall" Jackson with eleven 
skeleton regiments to amuse the enemy in the Shenandoah 
Valley, which I will refer to later on. Those figures are 
from an official source and I only refer to them to show you 
what we Southern boys had to face. On the 22nd of Feb- 
ruary, (Washington's birthday). President Lincoln ordered 
McLellan to advance and overwhelm Johnston, but McLel- 
lan was tardy in his movements and urged a different line 
of operation, that of the lower Rappahannock. He obtained 
delay and did not advance. In the mean time General John- 
ston was not an idle spectator as to what was going on and 
he made every disposition that was necessary to meet the 
advance, relying only on strategy and the valor of his 
troops. In the winter months of '62 Johnston had aban- 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 47 

doned the idea of offensive operations on the line 
of "Bull Run" and had concluded to fall back behind 
the Rapphannock, where he would be nearer his base of 
supplies, and be in better position to defend the Capital and 
to reinforce the Confederate army down on the peninsular 
in the event there was a sudden movement against either, 
and for that reason he had all during the winter been quietly 
transporting his immense stores from Manassas toward the 
Rappahannock, removing every cannon that could be spared 
from the embrasures and mounting in their place painted 
logs in order to deceive Prof. Lowe when he ascended in his 
balloon to overlook Johnston's army. So perfectly and quiely 
had all things been arranged that all stores, baggage, the 
sick, and material of every kind had been removed before 
we realized that we were going to abandon our winter quar- 
ters and fall back. In fact, we were in complete ignorance 
of what was going on. Our good wall tents that the citi- 
zens gave and the ladies of Abbeville made for us, when we 
first started out in the war were struck, when we first start- 
ed to build huts for winter quarters, were carried off some- 
where and were seen by us no more. The officers fared no 
better than the privates for their tents were gone also, and 
after we were ordered out of our winter quarters we had 
to "rough it" until the next winter. I have already told 
you that the weather was so bad that it had put a quietus on 
active operations by both armies, but when March set in 
with her balmy spring days, it created a stir around head- 
quarters and we were miomentarily expecting something to 
happen. At last orders came to cook three days rations, 
pack our knapsacks with everything that we could carry 
and destroy the surplus, and be ready to march at a mo- 
ments notice. Before we left Abbeville for the war a goodly 
number of Gates' Company employed "Ned" (Mr. Clen- 
denin's blacksmith) to make them some large knives. I 
don't know what to call them, but they were similar to the 
Spanish matchetta, and I guess that would be a good name 
for them, only they were American. Many were the vain 
boastings of some of these men who carried them strapped 
to their side before they had smelt gun-powder. Some went 
so far as to say they were going to cut Abe Lincoln's head 
off, and all such vain assertions as that. These assertions 
were made when patriotism ran high, but later on such was 
looked upon as being ridiculous, and the matchetts became 
to be a nuisance and a burden for the men to carry, and on 



48 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

the day we left camp 14 of them were turned over to me, 
and I gave them a decent interment just outside the guard 
line near a little branch. I expect that they have long since 
been unearthed as they were not buried out of the reach of 
a plow. I mention the circumstance concerning these knives 
in order to show how men in their enthusiasm for a thing 
will advance ideas and make assertions that afterwards 
seem ridiculous and disgusting. I may have been one of 
this kind, for I was a regular fire eater and was none too 
good, with no better sense than to have made similar ex- 
pressions. Well, dear friend, I have disgressed somewhat 
but will return, by saying that we cooked rations, packed 
knapsacks, and did everything else we were ordered to do, 
and remained quietly waiting orders to do something. At 
last sometime during the night of the 7th of March orders 
came to move, we fell quietly into line with the brigade and 
took up the line of march toward Richmond, reaching and 
crossing the Rappahannock on the 10th, when we "about 
faced" and waited for the approach of the enemy who were 
in pursuit. The march from Manassas to the Rappahan- 
nock was made with leisure. There were no barking in the 
rear by Uucle Sam's dogs to cause a hurry. During the 
winter our baggage had increased so that it was a difficult 
matter to decide on what to throw away, consequently our 
knapsacks were packed to their utmost, and as that was 
our first march we had a time. The farther we went the 
heavier our turn, and it was amusing to see the boys down 
with their knapsacks open deciding what to throw away. 
I was not an exception to the rule. 



CHAPTER XIX 

AN OLD VETERAN IN CAMP. 
ON THE RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER NO. 1. 

Dear Friend : 

The next day, the 8th, after we had left our winter quar- 
ters, the government at Washington issued pre-emptory ord- 
ders to McLellan to advance, and on the 9th the grand army 
was in motion for the purpose of crushing Johnston's army 
before he could be reinforced. All Washington was in ex- 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 49 

pectation, for they knew that the second "On to Richmond" 
had commenced and the second grand army was about to 
pass its grand climacteric. Fairfax Court House was 
reached at night and the grand army went into camp, and 
at a late hour McLellan had received the wonderful tidings 
that Johnston had retreated. So complete had been the 
evacuation that nothing was left in our positions, it was 
desolate, though frowning in fortified grandeur. Our line 
of march was paralel with the Orange and Alexandria R. R. 
I said in the last chapter that the march was made at leisure 
and there was nothing behind to push, and in consequence 
of our loads a great deal of straggling was done, but I was 
present at each roll call. After crossing the river we were 
drawn up in line to await the approach and attack of the 
enemy, but McLellan refused to challenge and moved down 
toward the Seaboard, Johnston was quick to apprehend, 
accurately divined the movements that McLellan was going 
to make, when he began to move his troops accordingly. 
Active operations against Richmond was abandoned on this 
line, and changed and shifted to that of the Peninsular, be- 
tween the York and James rivers, where McLellan hoped to 
capture Richmond by a Coup de main, but the vigilant 
Johnston met him promptly by a rapid transfer of his army 
from the Rappahannock to the Peninsular, where daily 
skirmishing and sharpshooting was done until McLellan's 
final defeat on the Chickahominy the last days of June 1862. 
As well as I remember, while on the line of the Rappahan- 
nock our Brigade (Trimble's), Taylor's Brigade of Louis- 
ianians and Early's Brigade of Virginians were formed into 
a Division and placed under the command of that sterling 
old war horse R. S. Ewell, who shortly after that became 
to be Jackson's right bower. When Johnston transferred 
his army to the Peninsular we were left on the Rappahan- 
nock to guard the approaches to Richmond by this route, 
and be accessible to either reinforce Jackson in the valley or 
Johnston before Richmond. So with this severence I know 
nothing of Johnston's movements except what I learned 
from history. Sometime during the month of January or 
February Lieut. C. V. Morris obtained a furlough to come 
home for the purpose of enlisting recruits, and it was while 
we were here on the Rappahannock that he returned with 
twenty-five or thirty and perhaps more which made our 
company the strongest in the regiment. Oflicers from the 
other companies had been furloughed for the same purpose, 



50 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

but I don't remember when they returned, nor what num- 
ber they brought back with them. I only know that our 
ranks had been so depleted by deaths and discharges during 
the winter, had been greatly strengthened, and we had a 
strong regiment to enter upon the spring and summer 
campaign. The day that Lieut. Morris arrived with re- 
cruits the regiment was on the north side of the Rappa- 
hannock tearing up the railroad. The enemy advanced in 
such strong force that our regiment had to retire and re- 
cross the river. I was a little sick at the time and was left 
in camp to guard the Company's baggage until they return- 
ed, but Lieut. Morris, hearing the cannonading, and want- 
ing to initiate the recruits, formed them into line, using me 
as a right guide, marched us down to where the regiment 
was in line, forming us on the left of the company. We 
were not in line many minutes before a shell came whizzing 
over striking the ground about fifty yards in our rear, 
others following in quick succession, getting lower and 
lower as they obtained our range. One of our batteries 
were brought up and placed in our immediate front and a 
regular artillery duel ensued. Our position being in the rear 
made it very disagreeable and we felt like going into the 
ground. One of the recruits became so uneasy that he 
asked me where Captain Oates was. I told him he was at 
the head of the company. He knew Captain Oates at home 
before the war and was anxious to see him, when about 
that time Oates came down the line shaking hands with the 
recruits that had just arrived, and when he reached the fel- 
low that had made the enquiries he suggested to Oates that 
it might be safer if he would move his company somewhere 
else, "for it looks to me," he said, "that if we stay here 
some of us would be killed." I don't remember Oates' re- 
ply, but the fellow afterwards learned that a soldier was 
there to do or die. He made a good soldier and was teased 
about it as long as he remained with us. He took it all 
good-naturedly and treated it as a joke. He was perma- 
nently disabled at the battle of Sharpsburg in September 
1863. This was the first shelling that we had been under 
since we had been in service and was only a foretaste as 
to what was coming on. No one was hurt, the firing ceased, 
the enemy retired and we were marched back to camp a 
little wiser than we were before. 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 51 



CHAPTER XX 

AN OLD VETERAN IN CAMP. 
ON THE RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER N0.2. 

Dear Friend : 

As long as I remained with the regiment on this line 
we had no certain camping place. We were kept moving 
up and down the river, guarding the different fords and 
doing picket and guard duty on the north side, until it 
was fully ascertained that the enemy had fallen back and 
took shelter in his fortifications, from whence he came only 
sending out foraging parties, committing all kinds of depre- 
dations upon the peaceful citizens that chose to remain at 
their homes between us. I said foraging parties, maraud- 
ing parties would be more appropriate for they plundered 
and took everything they could lay their hands on from the 
non-combatants and didn't hesitate to offer every kind of 
an insult imaginable to the ladies who sympathized with 
the South, that remained at their homes within their line. 
They would take every dust of meal, every pound of meat, 
kill the hogs and cattle, take their poultry and drive off 
their farming stock, destroy the farming tools and appro- 
priate to their own use all the farm produce that they could 
carry off, and apply the torch to that which was left, not 
being satisfied with what they could get outside the houses 
they would go inside and in the presence of the inmates 
would smash to pieces their fine pianos and furniture of 
every description and appropriated the jewelry and other 
valuables that suited their fancy to their own use. Such 
conduct as this was not approved by their commanding 
general and was only indulged in by a party of cut-throats 
who had no conception of civilized warfare. Occasionally 
our Mosby and Stuart would get after them and they would 
ingloriously fly and take shelter behind their fortifications. 
There had been some changes in my company during the 
winter that I will mention here. 1st Lieut. I. F. Culver had 
resigned in November and 2nd Lieut. C. V. Morris was pro- 
moted to 1st Lieutenant, 3rd Lieut.' H. C. Brainard was pro- 
moted to 2nd Lieutenant and J. A. Oates (a brother of the 
Captain) who had been transferred from the Henry Greys, 



52 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

was elected 3rd Lieutenant, and I only mention these things 
as I proceed with my narrative to show you our organiza- 
tion when we entered the Valley campaign under "Stone- 
wall" Jackson. When we were not on duty, we were busily 
engaged in drilling the recruits, getting them ready for that 
which was soon to follow. I was taken sick while here and 
the doctors said I had Pluro-Pneumonia, and that I must go 
to the hospital. My God ! I am gone now, for I looked upon 
a hospital as being a place for a sick man to go to to die, 
and when the ambulance arrived to carry me to the depot I 
thought farewell Co. "G," this ends my war record. Arriv- 
ing at the depot on the Orange and Alexander R. R. I was 
placed on the floor of an old dingy, solitary tobacco-house, 
and there, with other sick men, was left to wait for the ar- 
rival of the train to carry us to a hospital somewhere. I 
remained there all day suffering with a scorching fever; 
the nurse that attended did all he could to alleviate my suf- 
fering. It was here while lying upon my back writhing in 
pain that I for the first time had thought seriously of my 
parents and sisters, and wished that I was at home with 
them. At a late hour the train arrived and I was assisted 
on board and carried to Richmond, arriving there early in 
the morning when I was conveyed to Chimborazo hospital 
that had recently been established on our old drill ground. 
I was registered, sponged off, given a change of clothing, 
consigned to a comfortable couch or bunk, examined and 
prescribed for by Dr. Davis, when all necessary nourish- 
ments were furnished, I felt much better. I was so well 
treated by the doctor and nurses that I improved rapidly 
and in a few days the pain in my side and fever give way, 
and I was soon convelescent and allowed to go to the city 
or elsewhere I desired. This was my first experience in a 
hospital and being so young and inexperienced and being 
among so many sick and dying men, that at first it had a 
tendency to cast me down in gloom and despair, but my 
rapid improvement revived my feelings and in about three 
weeks I became strong and reported for duty. There were 
others belonging to Swell's Division reporting for duty, but 
the hospital authorities seemed to be at a loss as to the lo- 
cation of Ewell, as it was ascertained that he had moved 
from the position we left him on the Rappahannock. We 
were marched down to Richmond and there housed up in 
comfortable quarters and kept three days before we could 
leave. At last an officer took charge of us and we boarded 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 53 

a train for Culpepper Court House, on the 0. & A. R. R., 
where we got off and with a guide was marched over some 
mountains, down valleys and in about two days we reached 
our command. This was about the first of May and after 
marching and countermarching, we struck out down the 
Luray Valley to reinforce Jackson who was fighting, arriv- 
ing in the neighborhood of Front Royal on the 22nd. 



CHAPTER XXI 

AN OLD VETERAN UNDER "STONEWALL" 
JACKSON IN HIS VALLEY CAMPAIGN NO. L 

Dear Friend : 

Our march down the Luray Valley to reinforce Jackson 
was so rapid, and was made with so much secrecy that the 
Federal Commander Banks was greatly surprised when 
Ewell appeared in his rear at Front Royal on the evening of 
the 22nd of May. Before we began this march we were 
ordered to put ourselves in light marching order, by turn- 
ing over to the Quartermaster all surplus baggage that 
would be a hindrence to a rapid movement. The young 
men of my company divested themselves of every thing ex- 
cept a blanket and a change of under garments. I turned 
in my knapsack with several things that I greatly regretted 
to part with, which I afterward needed, but I never saw 
again ; others shared the same fate. Some of the older ones 
of my company held on to their heavy loaded knapsacks 
and on the march when the warm rays of the sun began 
to beam upon them, they began to fag, and cast off the heavy 
bed quilts and woolen coverlets that had been such a source 
of comfort during the cold fall, winter and early months 
of spring. There was a great deal of grumbling and com- 
plaining among this class of men, but all to no purpose; the 
surplus had to go, as something was going to happen and 
they had to be there. Jackson had had two or three spats 
with the Yankees during the winter, one of which he was 
overmatched and was considerably worsted, after which he 
only contented himself in keeping them in doubt as to his 
movements, until he could be reinforced. The first intima- 
tion we had of our near proximity to Jackson was the sound 



54 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

of his cannon over on the Winchester pike. The advance 
of our division was led by the 1st Maryland Cavalry (C. S. 
A.), and before they reached Front Royal they encountered 
the 1st Maryland Cavalry (U. S. A.) and a desultory skirm- 
ish vv^as kept up for about one hour, when the Louisiana 
Tigers came to the front and was deployed as skirmishers 
and advanced to assist our Cavalry. Now look out boys, 
something is going to drop ! the Tigers are in front and you 
will hear something directly. They had not advanced far 
before the firing became to be pretty heavy for the number 
of troops engaged. The Yankees offered a stubborn resist- 
ance in order that our strength might be developed. Our 
company was in line with the regiment standing in the road 
while the firing was going on. We were expecting every 
moment to be ordered to the front. While in this position 
Courtney's Battery of our brigade came dashing by and 
soon opened upon the Yankees with shot and shell. The 
firing increased to such an extent to cause us to believe that 
reinforcements were being pushed in by both sides, occasion- 
ally a wounded Tiger would pass, bloody and powder black- 
ened, muttering something that I could not understand. 
All of these things created such suspense that it caused a 
chill to pervade my system to the extent of causing my 
knees and teeth to knock together as though I had an old 
fashioned shaking ague. The hair on my head seemed to 
rise and was sorter like the quills of a fretful porcupine, 
and I had some trouble in keeping my cap pressed down. 
I looked around to see if any one else was in my condition, 
and I soon found it to be a pretty general complaint among 
the boys. The complaint was not confined exclusively 
to the privates. Some of the oflflcers were similarly affected. 
The countenance had undergone a change, the natural ex- 
pression of the eye had banished and it looked to me as 
though each fellow was trying to conceal his condition and 
keep it unobserved by the other fellow. It was funny for 
me to think about afterward. We boys would talk about 
it and laugh over it, after the danger had passed. Well, 
was this a symptom of cowardice? I say no, for later on 
in the war I saw brave and courageous men similarly af- 
fected. I had heard these things discussed by old soldiers, 
giving different reasons for the cause. My theory is that 
an anxiety to know and see what is going on in front, ac- 
companied by momentary doubts and fears of the result, 
drawing on the imagination for the worse, is what brings 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 55 

such feelings on at such exciting times. This was what 
brought them on me, and if I remained still would last about 
ten minutes, but would soon wear off if on the move. This 
was the first time that we had been so near a battle and 
we were sure that we would get to try our guns before the 
sun went down. As I have already said our 1st Maryland 
met the Yankee 1st Maryland. This engagement lasted till 
near sundown, when our 1st Maryland assisted by some in- 
fantry, raised the "Rebel Yell" and charged, putting the 
Yankees to rout, sweeping through the town of Front 
Royal, crossing the Shenandoah a running fight began in 
the direction of Winchester. These regiments from Mary- 
land came from the same section of country and many of 
them were closely related. The Federal regiment was large 
and at this, its first fight with its brothers, was annihiliated. 
A few were killed and wounded and the balance were easily 
captured. History says that fifteen escaped. After the 
charge and rout of the Federals, our brigade advanced, 
passing through the little town of Front Royal, advancing 
along the pike that led to Winchester. (A word to the 
survivors.) Do you remember crossing a stream on a 
bridge just about dusk? Do you remember meeting a 
"Johnnie" and "Yank" both riding one horse? the Yank in 
the saddle and the Johnnie seated behind ? Do you remem- 
ber that it was said that they were brothers? Have you 
forgotten how we guyed the "Yank" and how depressed he 
looked? Do you remember how slow we marched and how 
cold we got that night? Do you remember packing up like 
a bundle of cigars around Capt. Gates to keep warm. Are 
these false delusions or not? Those are my recollections of 
events that occurred at the time, though it's possible that I 
may be mistaken. While these things were taking place 
here, Jackson was not idle over on the Winchester pike near 
Kernstown. Desultory firing had been going on over there 
that evening, but with no decisive results. Jackson sent for 
Ewell that night to go over to see him, to consult as to the 
program for the next day. Ewell sent Taylor over with 
his Louisianians to help Jackson, and at early dawn the 
small arms began to pop, the result I will tell in the next 
chapter. 



56 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 



CHAPTER XXII 

AN OLD VETERAN UNDER "STONEWALL" JACKSON 
IN HIS VALLEY CAMPAIGN NO. 2. 

Dear Friend : 

At early dawn over on the Winchester turnpike as soon 
as objects could be distiguished, the skirmishers of both 
armies began to pop away at each other. As the light in- 
creased the firing increased, and by the time the sun had 
ascended to one hour's height, the roaring of musketry and 
the booming of cannon was evidece to us that a general en- 
gagement was on, and if the firing was well directed some- 
body's children was getting hurt. My command spent the 
night on the turnpike that leads from Front Royal to Win- 
chester, and were not allowed to have fires lest our position 
would be betrayed to the enemy. It was cold that night with 
a heavy dew or frost the next morning, I don't remember 
which, but we passed the night by "stacking" and huddling 
together in many ways, keeping warm enough to doze and 
get a few cat naps. We were all glad when the first streaks 
of day began to appear, and hearing the firing of Jackson's 
men, all desire for sleep banished and we were up and 
ready. About sunrise we received orders to fall into line 
and move, and moving a short distance we were halted and 
gave way for Courtney's Battery to pass to the front; they 
dashed under whip and spur. The cannoneers were in 
high glee, for they were as anxious as we were to try our 
guns and they felt perfectly safe when they had the 15th 
Alabama at their backs for support. They had not gone 
far before they dashed up a hill to the right and coming 
into battery, they unlimbered and began to shell the enemy. 
Courtney had not more than got his guns in position before 
here come a shell whizzing by. Our brigade was quietly 
formed in line of battle in the rear of our battery and there 
remained as its support until the artillery duel ceased. It 
so happened that the position of my company was exactly 
in the rear of the battery and in direct line of the fire from 
the Yankee guns. This was an exceeding uncomfortable po- 
sition to be in, although we were protected to some extent 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 57 

by the hill but was not secure from the fragments of the 
bursting shells that was hitting the ground in front and 
in the rear of us, as though they were searching for a vic- 
tim, but no one was hurt. We were all anxious for the 
Yankees to advance and try to capture our battery, but in- 
stead of advancing their battery was silenced and they re- 
tired. Then came a lull for a time with us, but over on 
the Winchester pike near Kearnstown Oh, my! the battle 
was raging. Taylor with his Louisianians had arrived and 
was thrown into action to assist Jackson's Virginians, while 
we remained at this place holding our position until the time 
came for us to play our part, and it came later on. We were 
in great suspense, hoping to hear something favorable from 
Jackson. Here another chill seized us, but was of not long 
duration. Our Brigadier General Trimble became restless 
and impatient for orders to advance. A profound silence 
pervaded my whole command. All was expectancy. At 
last, about nine o'clock A. M. the fire became slacker and 
began to recede toward Winchester. We could imagine 
that we could hear the "Rebel Yell" which caused joy in 
our ranks, our countenances brightened and we were anx- 
ious to be ordered forward. As the firing would slack the 
more intent we would be in trying to catch the sound of the 
"Rebel Yell." Minutes seemed like hours and by 9 :30 our 
doubts were removed, for we were not mistaken. We could 
distinctly hear the "Yell" and that was as good news as 
we wanted. Jackson's Division, with the assistance of 
Taylor's Brigade, had repulsed the Federal General Banks 
and his retreat had became a complete rout, so much so 
that it became to be a panic, and when they came running 
through the streets of Winchester with the Virginians and 
Louisianians close on their heels in hot pursuit, the citizens 
of Winchester received them with shouts of derision. Win- 
chester was Southern to the core. The people never became 
weary in nursing our sick and wounded. This assertion 
could be verified by one of our distiguished citizens who had 
the good fortune to fall into their hands when taken sick 
on Jackson's retreat up the valley. Banks being in full 
retreat and Jackson crowding him in the rear, it now be- 
came our time to play our part. A hot rider with hat in 
hand, from the direction of Winchester came dashing up to 
General Trimble delivering a despatch from General Ewell. 
General Trimble immediately began to dispatch his aids in 
every direction with orders to his command to move. The 



58 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

opportune moment had come for us to strike Banks on his 
right flank and thus complete the destruction of his army. 
The brigade was put in motion in quick time and sometimes 
double-quick, and often in a run, the purpose to strike 
Banks in flank on his retreat to Harper's Ferry, while 
Jackson would crowd him in his rear. The 15th Alabama 
led the advance and many fell by the wayside exhausted, 
but I was young then and had good legs, had put myself in 
light marching order by divesting myself of all unnecessary 
baggage, in order that I could be on hand when we had to 
tackle the Yankees with small arms, and that I might be 
one of the many boys that later on in the war would be 
worthy to be called one of Jackson's foot cavalry. This 
movement of our brigade was not made in time. Banks had 
anticipated such a move and had abandoned nearly every- 
thing he had to Jackson, and contented himself with his 
own escape and a portion of his demoralized army. Jack- 
son's captures were immense in the way of men, and ma- 
terial of every description, including commissary stores. 
Our brigade pursued them nearly all day in the direction 
of Harper's Ferry, but we failed to bring them to a stand 
and we failed to get to shoot again. Our cavalry led the 
advance and they picked up a great many stragglers. We 
pursued them to Harper's Ferry, and could proceed no far- 
ther. They had took shelter behind their fortifications on 
Bolivar Heights, and we fell back to near Winchester where 
we remained several days camping on the pike that leads 
from Winchester to Martinsburg, near a place called Bunker 
Hill. There was no town and was designated by a large 
spring of pure water with the capacity of furnishing enough 
for Jackson's whole army. While here we were engaged 
for a day or two in tearing up the Baltimore and Ohio R. R., 
rendering it useless for the Yankees only a short time, for 
while we were engaged in its destruction, no doubt but what 
they were making preparations to repair it as soon as we 
should leave. While these things were going on important 
movements were taking place in our rear. These move- 
ments by the Yankees in our rear became matters of im- 
portance and hasty preparations had to be made to meet 
them, which was successfully done, which I will show in 
the next chapter. 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 59 



CHAPTER XXIII 

AN OLD VETERAN UNDER "STONEWALL" JACKSON 
IN HIS CAMPAIGN IN THE VALLEY NO. 3. 

Dear Friend : 

I said in the last chapter that important movements by 
the enemy in our rear had become matters of importance 
and hasty preparations had to be made to meet them. No 
one but Turner Ashley, who commanded our cavalry, knew 
of the movements of the enemy, and his reports to Jackson 
were so frequent and intelligent that Jackson made no mis- 
take in divining the purpose of their movements. The pris- 
oners that had been captured in the several engagements 
had all been sent off to Richmond. The immense quantity 
of army stores had all been transported to a place of safety, 
and our commissary wagons had been loaded to their ut- 
most capacity. That which we could not carry was sent off 
to a place of safety, out of danger of being recaptured. 
This was a great time with us in the way of rations, for we 
had everything that was good for soldiers to eat, for Uncle 
Sam knew how to provide for his soldiers and General 
Banks was called Jackson's commissary. The supply was 
so great at this time that later on in the war, when rations 
became scarce, those of us that were living at this time 
would have been glad to have got another whack at Bank's 
commissary train. If you will read the reports of General 
Banks, the Yankee general, and that of General Jackson, 
the Confederate general of this affair, you will find a great 
discrepancy, but Banks had to say something favorable to 
appease the wrath of his government. All of this fighting, 
making these captures, tearing up the railroad, camping at 
Bunker Hill, getting the prisoners and captured stores out 
of the way, occurred between the 23rd of May and the 1st 
of June, and when we received orders to march. We took 
the pike toward Winchester, which was only five miles, 
passing through we continued the march for six or seven 
miles out on the Valley turnpike and went into camp. All 
along this pike was evidences of the rout of the Yankees 
that occurred on the 24th. There were many things thrown 
away that was of no value, and all that was worth anything 



60 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

had been picked up by our men and sent away, or appro- 
priated to immediate use. While at this camp, my shoes 
give out, or nearly so, that put me in a bad fix to march, 
and what to do I didn't know. I made every effort to get 
a pair, but all in vain. Captain Gates made every effort 
to get a pair for me, but the Quartermaster's train was 
not in reach so he failed. On the morning of the 4th we 
received orders to be ready to march at a moment's notice. 
It had been raining and in consequence of so much travel 
by our cavalry and wagons, the dirt on the rocky pike had 
become to be as batter which exposed the sharp edges of 
the rocks so that it was impossible for a bare-footed man 
to travel far, but Captain Gates, who always looked out for 
the interest of his men, gave me a permit to march at will, 
but admonished me not to get so far behind as to be cap- 
tured. Fight first and run last was my tactics on this 
march. Before starting on this march I went to the butch- 
er-pen, where several green hides were left on the ground, 
and placing my foot on one of them I cut a piece large 
enough to fit my foot, then turning it over (the hair inside) 
I pulled it over my foot and around my ankle and after 
making holes with the little blade of my knife I sewed it 
up with a raw hide string. When I finished I looked at 
them and thought of what I had heard my father say about 
the Indians wearing moccasins, and I thought to myself, 
"By George, I have struck the very thing." They felt too 
soft and flabby and I wanted some way to tighten them 
up, and I went back to my company and it was gone. I con- 
ceived the idea of tightening my moccasins by holding them 
near the smoldering coals of fire which had been left, which 
proved to be a success, and as soon as I got them tight 
enough I started on my journey. I soon reached the pike 
and began stepping off at the rate of five miles an hour 
hoping to catch up, but I had not gone more than a mile 
before my moccasins became fiimsy and I began to distrust 
them. The further I went the worse they got, until they 
became so loose that I could scarcely walk at all. I sat 
down to rest, meditating what to do. I was not long in de- 
ciding what to do. I cut the stitches and off they come. 
There I was bare-footed on a rocky pike, my command fast 
leaving me on a forced march. The provost guard was ap- 
proaching in the rear, driving the stragglers ahead of 
them. Next to follow was the rear-guard of the army, con- 
sisting of cavalry which drove everything to the front, but 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 61 

I had a pass and was in no dread of anything in the rear 
but the Yankees, which I knew would follow as soon as 
they found out we were on the retreat. After reflecting 
on what to do, I decided to put on a pair of socks, which 
I carried along in a little sack, and then I started out again. 
By this time my command was two or three hours ahead. 
I took nigh cuts through the plantations when convenient, 
and traveled in quick time. I was lightly loaded and made 
good time. I passed through two or three pretty little vil- 
lages during the day but had no time to halt. I could only 
say good-bye as I looked in the faces of those beautiful 
girls, for sad they were at our departure, well knowing 
what would come to pass after we left. I did not even ask 
a name, therefore there is nothing left to memory except 
their beautful faces and patriotism. The people of the Shen- 
andoah Valley were noted for their culture and refinement 
and had furnished the greater number of soldiers that con- 
stituted the famous "Stonewall" Brigade. On our retire- 
ment the Yankees came, and when I had occasion to march 
down this valley from Staunton to the Potomac in 1863, 
many changes had been wrought. Many of the bright- 
faced little boys and girls had disappeared, for all had 
yielded their beautiful and happy homes to the ruthless in- 
vader and had sought homes among their friends in a more 
secure place. The boys and girls of that day and time 
that are now living are grown up men and women, and 
doubtless hold in memory the dark days of '62-3 and '64 
which was even worse in desolation of their homes. The 
invasion of this valley in 1864 by the Yankee General Phil 
Sheridan when he came with sword in one hand and torch 
in the other has but one paralel in the annals of history, 
that of W. T. Sherman's march through Georgia to the sea. 
The acts of these generals at this time adorns the pages of 
history and will be read by future generations and will be 
looked upon as a blemish on the name of an American 
soldier. They had to resort to the torch, as well as the 
sword to subdue us, for they found out pretty soon that 
they could not do it by a square fight face to face with 
bullets. Dear friend, I have disgressed so far from my 
subject that I fear I am drawing on your patience and will 
defer my narrative of the battles that soon was to follow 
for the next chapter, and will end this by saying that I 
overtook my company as they went into camp near "Fisher's 
Hill" and was there ready to answer to roll call. Up to 



62 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

this time we had not fired a gun at the Yankees and we 
were getting impatient. These were days full of events, 
but the 8th eclipsed them all, for on that day at Cross Keys 
the 15th Alabama had an opportunity of meeting the Penn- 
sylvania Bucktails face to face, the result I will give in the 
next chapter. 



CHAPTER XXIV 

AN OLD VETERAN UNDER "STONEWALL" JACKSON 
IN HIS CAMPAIGN IN THE VALLEY NO. 4. 

Dear Friend : 

Our camps at night on this march up the valley was pass- 
ed in quietude. There was nothing to disturb our repose 
except the strains of marshel music made by the cornet 
band of the 16th Mississippi, which had a tendency to re- 
vive the spirits of the tired and foot-sore soldiers of Jack- 
son's Corps. With each piece of music such as the "Bonnie 
Blue Flag," "Gentle Annie," "Marsailles Hymn," "Mary- 
land, My Maryland," "Dixie," generally ending with "Home 
Sweet Home." A deafening "Rebel Yell" would be sent up, 
the sound as it reverberated down the valley was doubtless 
heard by the advance of Fremont's army that was appoach- 
ing from the west, and rear, We had succeeded in passing 
the danger of being enveloped by the converging columns 
of Fremont and Shields. The former approaching from 
the west on Jackson's right and the latter marching on a 
paralel on the east side of the south fork of the Shenan- 
doah. Jackson caused a bridge to be burned across this 
stream where Shields intended to cross for the purpose of 
forming a junction with Fremont across Jackson's path, 
but the burning of this bridge caused Shields to move on 
higher up to the next crossing, which was at Port Repub- 
lic, a small village on the east side of the stream above 
mentioned. The place, and what occurred there on the 9th 
will be referred to later on. We broke camp and started 
on the march up the valley. The middle of the day be- 
came so intensely warm the older ones, and all those that 
carried heavy loaded knapsacks began to fag, and strag- 
ling become to be enormous, but the Yankee "bull dogs" 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 63 

that barked occasionally in the rear had a tendency to in- 
fuse new life in us, and a regular hustle was on to keep 
ahead of the rear guard. I had a pass from Captain Oates, 
and I felt perfectly independent and had no fear of being 
captured. About the middle of the evening I sat down on 
a rock by the side of the road to rest, and while there the 
stragglers were passing in a hurry. The advance of the 
Yankees had overtaken our rear guard and a brisk skirmish 
was going on which put new life in the legs of some of 
the stragglers and got a "move" on themselves to reach 
their commands. A great many of them were Irish, and 
several of them in passing told me to come on or "be Jasus" 
I would be captured. But I was in no hurry, for I knew we 
had a strong rear guard of infantry as well as cavalry, and 
the infantry had not been attacked and I was not uneasy. 
While I was sitting on the rock resting Daniel McLellan, 
of my company, came along with a big knapsack on his 
back, which was full of good clothing. He was very tired 
of his load and was nearly tired out, I told him to halt and 
rest awhile with me. He said no, the Yanks would get us 
if we stayed there long, for they were coming in a hurry 
and would soon attack our rear guard. I told him I couldn't 
travel on the pike on account of my sore feet, he opened his 
knapsack and gave me a bran new pair of home knit socks 
to put on. After getting rid of the old pair I had on, and 
scraping all the mud off my feet that I could, with con- 
siderable trouble I put them on and started on the march 
paralel with the pike, for I could not endure the sharp 
edges of the rocks. Fighting commenced in the rear and 
I moved in quick time for two or three miles, when I come 
to a rock fence running at right angles with the pike. Be- 
hind those fences on both sides of the pike the stragglers 
and bare-footed men were halting and forming in line for 
the purpose of resisting the advance of the Yankees in or- 
der that we might rest. While here I happened to take 
position beside an Irishman belonging to Taylor's Brigade 
who had an extra pair of shoes strapped to his knapsack. 
He seeing my condition, hastily pulled them off, and in his 
Irish brogue said: "Here, take these shoes, put them on 
and see if you can't keep up." I thanked him for his kind- 
ness and put them on; they fit nicely and lasted a long 
time. There was several officers that couldn't keep up, and 
they assumed command, and after resting as long as we 
wanted to, we moved off unmolested. The enemy were be- 



64 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

ing held in check by the rear guard. I overtook my com- 
mand late that evening just before they reached the beauti- 
ful little village of Harrisonburg, and passing through that 
town we turned to the left in an easterly direction towards 
Port Republic. After we had passed Harrisonburg some 
three or four miles, Col. Sir Percy Windham, an English 
officer who commanded the advance of the enemy, made a 
dash on our rear, commanded by our own Col. Turner Ash- 
ley. The sun was fast sinking from view behind a moun- 
tain in the west when this fight took place, and resulted in 
the capture of Sir Percy and the death of Ashley. We 
heard the firing distinctly, for it was not more than a half 
mile in our rear. The 15th Alabama was ordered to halt 
and rest, and while here Sir Percy came along a prisoner 
under the guard of two cavalrymen. The blood was trick- 
ling down his cheeks, caused by a sabre-cut on his head by 
one of our cavalrymen in his effort to subdue him. He 
was so refractory that that was the only means to affect 
his capture. Sir Percy was of stern stuff and a brave of- 
ficer. The boys guyed him as he passed along, which so en- 
raged him that he would have stopped right there in the 
road and engaged in a fisticuff if he could have found a 
partner. He was the maddest prisoner I saw during the 
war. While here we received the sad news that Ashley 
had been killed in the engagement, a thing that we all re- 
gretted. As a partisan he had no superior; he was heroic 
in character and his powers of endurance almost incredi- 
ble. I don't know who commanded after he fell. After 
the firing had ceased we moved on some two or three miles 
and went into camp. There was nothing to disturb us ex- 
cept an occasional exchange of shots by the pickets in the 
rear. The next morning we moved on in the direction of 
Port Republic, but we didn't go far before we passed a 
church called Cross Keys. This had the appearance of be- 
ing an old county church and nearby was a large cemetery, 
with many monuments that marked the resting place of 
the dead. After passing this church we halted and re- 
mained all day, expecting an attack every moment, but 
Fremont was waiting for all his forces to come up and giv- 
ing Shields time to move up and dispute Jackson's crossing 
at Port Republic, while he, Fremont, would attack him in 
the rear. This was the condition of things on the morn- 
ing of the 8th and was only known by the general officers. 
Early in the morning the 15th Alabama was formed in line 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 65 

of battle on the left of the turnpike at the end of a piece of 
woods that surrounded the church. There were no under- 
growth between us and the church, the trees were large and 
we had a good view. Co. "A" being armed with Mississippi 
rifles were thrown forward beyond the church and ceme- 
tery to act as skirmishers. By some cause the regiment 
was formed facing by the rear rank, our right resting near 
the pike which was on a ridge with rolling ground on either 
side. Desultory firing had been going on all the morning 
and from the way that the Couriers and staff officers were 
dashing around an attack was momentarily expected. We 
were not long in suspence, for all at once Co. A was at- 
tacked with such overwhelming numbers that they had to 
fire in retreat. They soon came in sight, passing through 
the cemetery, frequently taking shelter behind a tomb-stone 
long enough to fire and load. Well do I remember seeing 
Ben Ryans of Co. A when he took shelter behind a tomb- 
stone and fired back at the Yankees. The odds were so 
great against Co. A that they came in and took their place 
in line. It was on this move that Lieut. Berry of that 
company was captured. When the Yankees reached the 
opening near the cemetery, they halted for awhile; a death- 
ly stillness prevailed in our ranks while we were waiting 
for the Yankees to come in reach, for we were anxious to 
get a shot. While we were waiting Colonel Cantey rode to 
the right up to the pike, when he saw just over the hill a 
brigade of Yankess in line of battle marching past our right 
flank. Had they known our position they could have 
changed front forward on tenth company and had us com- 
pletely at their mercy, for an attack from that direction 
would have caused considerable confusion. The Colonel 
came back and called us to attention, and give the command 
to retire by the right of companies, which we did, moving 
in quick time through a wheatfield. The Yankees seeing 
this retrograde movement advanced through the cemetery, 
and began to fire into our rear, which caused us to change 
our time of march, from a quick to a double quick. Zip! 
Zip ! Zip ! came their bullets. Whap ! and down went Bill 
Toney of Co. K, mortally wounded or dead. What! and 
down went Jim Trawick of Co. G. The ball cutting his hat 
band through to his head, it only stunned him and he rose 
to his feet and came on. There might have been others hit 
but I don't remember now. We broke into a run for a 
short distance until we crossed a fence. The commanders 



66 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

of companies preserved their distance and when Col, Can- 
tey called out "Form Column by the left of companies 
into line." A line of battle was easily and quickly formed. 
About this time Courtney's battery came dashing at a 
gallop, they soon halted, unlimited and threw a few shots 
of spherical case which put a stop to the advance of the 
Yankees at that point. When Courtney fired his first shot, 
Jim Rhodes of Company "K" shouted aloud, "Now d — n 
you, I guess you will stop." Our regiment remained in 
position a short time, as a support to the batter>% but we 
were not to remain in that position long. We were moved 
off to the right, to meet a columm of Yankees that were ad- 
vancing to turn our flank. We came to a piece of woods, 
and were marching up to take position behind a fence when 
the Yankee skirmishers commenced to fire on us. Just be- 
fore we reached the fence our First Corporal, John T, Mel- 
vin, was shot through the instep, and in a few moments 
afterward, V\^m, J. Parish was shot through the hand. 
These were the first men wounded in Company G, The 
wound of the former made him a cripple for life, and the 
wound of the latter should have excused him from further 
service, but when he got well, he returned and reported for 
duty, and at the battle of Chickamauga his thigh was 
broken which permanently disabled him from further ser- 
vice. When we reached the fence above mentioned we 
were ordered to lie down. There was a large old field in 
front, and about two hundred yards off there was a line 
of the "Boys in Blue" advancing to attack us. They ad- 
vanced with such precision, keeping the step, and their line 
so well dressed that it was a matter of comment after- 
wards am.ong our officers, but poor fellows, they did not 
know what was in store for them behind that fence. There 
we lay, as a Bengal tiger when he crouches down ready to 
spring upon his unsuspected prey, each man in deathly si- 
lence, with eyes fixed upon the advancing foe, only waiting 
for the command to fire. Dear friend, these were almost 
breathless moments, not a word, not a whisper by the 
men, only a word of caution was whispered by the officers. 
See them advancing; keep cool, Alabamians; take good 
aim, and not fire too high. They were allowed to come 
within seventy-five or one hundred yards, when the com- 
mand, "Fire!" was given. We hurled such a storm of 
"Buck and Ball" at them that it came very near annihilat- 
ing their command, which was afterwards ascertained to 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 67 

be the 6th Pennsylvania Bucktails, commanded by Col. 
Kane. After the first volley we could not see them any 
more, in consequence of so much smoke. We fired a few 
rounds at them through the smoke when it was ascertained 
tha^ they had disappeared from our front, and we were 
ordered to cease firing. Other demonstrations were being 
made on our right, and we moved off by the right flank. 
We had not gone far before we opened fire on a body of 
Yankees in the woods on a hill, which put them to flight. 
All the while heavy firing was going on, on the left, and 
by 10 o'clock Ewell had Fremont whipped, and was then 
ready to help Jackson whip Shields at Port Republic. Fre- 
mont retreated, and left our division (E well's) in posses- 
sion of the field. That evening we buried the dead, re- 
moved the wounded, and collected a large quantity of small 
arms from off the field. We rested quietly that night and 
early the next morning we hastened on towards Port Ke- 
public, a small village with one or two hundred inhabi- 
tants. It was four miles away from us, and we went in 
quick time. Shields had arrived to dispute the passage of 
Jackson's corps, his own and Ewell's division, but by 
strategy at the bridge Jackson made the way passable, and 
his division crossed and began the attack. Taylor with his 
Louisianians, had preceded us and arrived in time to render 
great service to Jackson in the defeat of Shields. As our 
brigade advanced the booming of canon, and the roar of 
small arms could be plainly heard, which was evidence that 
a severe engagement was going on. Our pace was quick- 
ened until we cross the bridge and marched out into the 
open plain where the battle had commenced. We could 
now tell that the firing was becoming slacker, and reced- 
ing down the valley, the Southerners yelling, which was 
evidence of victory, Frem.ont heard the firing but was too 
slovv^ to render any aid to Shields, He was greatly sur- 
prised when he ascertained that we had left his front. He 
had made all preparations to meet us in an expected attack 
by us that morning, but when he found out that we had 
left his front, he hurried on in the direction of Port Re- 
public, arriving at the burning bridge which was the end 
of his march. He about faced, and marched back down the 
valley. By 10 o'clock the firing had ceased and a marvelous 
victory had been won by Jackson which terminated his 
campaign in the valley. For a more correct, and thrilling 
account of this campaign in the valley, ending with this 



68 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

victory I would refer the reader to "Surry of Eagle's Nest." 
After this victory we went into camp near Weyer's Cave, 
where we had divine service, and resting until about the 
23rd, when we started on the march for Richmond to en- 
gage in the great battle of seven days, commencing on the 
26th of June, 1862. 



CHAPTER XXV 

AN OLD VETERAN UNDER "STONEWALL" JACKSON 
ON HIS WAY TO RICHMOND. 

Dear Friend : 

After the defeat of Fremont at Cross Keys, and Shields 
at Port Republic, it became necessary that something 
should be done to divert the attention of the Yankee Gen- 
eral McDowell, who was at Fredericksburg and to keep his 
forces from uniting with McClellan in front of Richmond, 
and in order to do this, before we broke camp near Weyer's 
Cave, we were heavily reinforced by Whiting's division, 
composed of Hood's Texas brigade, and his own under 
Col. Law, from Richmond, and Lawton's brigade of Geor- 
gians from Savannah. The deception of this reinforcement 
at this time proved successful, for Fremont and Shields 
became frightened, and retreated until they reached the 
strongholds on the Potomac. While here at this camp I 
visited the Texans and Georgians to see my old acquaint- 
ances. I had several in the 1st and 5th Texas, boys of my 
old settlement, who had emigrated to Texas before the war, 
one of which I will mention, Nathan Oates, my old teacher, 
who taught school in my old settlement when I was a small 
boy. There were several incidents of this camp that has 
flashed upon my memory that I would like to mention. 
Some of them I deem out of order and will forbear. Suf- 
fice it to say that I was glad to meet my old teacher and he 
seemed glad to see me. He did not recognize me at first, 
but when I made myself known to him he said, "Oh, yes, 
you was my boss ball player at 12 years old. I guess you 
are about 18 now?" I said, "I would be 18 in August." I 
think that was our last meeting. He was either killed or 
sickened and died, I don't remember which. I had a brother 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 69 

that belonged to the 1st Texas, but he had died with pneu- 
monia at "Bell Isle" on the James river, and was buried 
in Hollywood cemetery at Richmond. On my visit to Rich- 
mond in 1896, I felt sad when I was on the high bridge 
crossing the James. The cars ran slow, and by looking 
through a window to the left, I had a good view of the 
island. The thought came, there is where my brother died 
in the winter of 1861. After seeing all my acquaintances 
among the Texans, I visited the 38th Georgia. There was 
a company in that regiment from this (Henry) county call- 
ed the Irvin Invincibles. I had several acquaintances and 
some kinfolk in that company. Billie and Lat Whiddon. 
Billie and John Barnes, all gone now. And by the way, I 
remember seeing our good old man W. W. Kirkland, who 
is living today. There were others but I can't remember 
them now. After visiting the 38th I went over to the 
31st Georgia and there I found two of my neighbor boys, 
Ed and Joe Roach, the former has since been Probate 
Judge of Geneva County. You may be assured that it was 
a great source of pleasure to meet with old friends so far 
from home, all engaged in one common cause. I know the 
ex-Judge will smile if he ever reads this, and recalls to 
mind the fun he had with his younger brother Joe, in try- 
ing to keep him from thrownig away that large woolen, 
double wove coverlet, that they were toting, those hot June 
days, on our march to Richmond, but it was very comforta- 
ble at night, and Ed knew it. Joe grumbled because Ed 
would not help him carry it as much as he thought he ought 
to, but they worried on until they reached the battlefield, 
and there they supplied themselves with things more suita- 
ble for the occasion. There were others in my company 
that had friends and relatives among these Texans, and 
Georgians, and a regular interchange of visits went on as 
long as we remained in camp. At last orders came when 
we were least expecting it to cook three days' rations and 
be ready to move at a moment's notice. This put a stop to 
the visiting. Where to now? No one knew but the gen- 
eral officers. Time enough had been given for the cooking 
to be done, when we received orders to fall into line and 
march. We started off to go somewhere, Ewell's division 
leading. Lawton's large brigade of six full regiments had 
been assigned to our division and marched between my 
brigade (Trimble's) and the Louisianians, who were lead- 
ing the advance of the division. About 8 o'clock a. m. of 



70 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

the first day we arrived at the foot of the east spur of the 
Blue Ridge mountains, and began to ascend. I don't re- 
member the name of the gap now. The road was broad, 
and was likened to a flight of winding stairs. Up, up 
higher, and higher, at every turn until we reached the top. 
In crossing this mountain that day, one of the grandest 
sights that I had ever beheld was presented to my view. 
When about half way to the top I could look up a mile 
ahead and see the boys in grey marching four abreast, 
filing around the rugged clifts that had been made smoothe, 
and looking backward and downward, there as far as the 
eye could reach, I could see the balance of Jackson's corps 
advancing. The long line of troops dressed in gray march- 
ing four abreast, stepping in quick time, with their bright 
muskets and bayonets glittering in the sun, made an ever- 
lasting impression upon my mind, the sublimity and 
grandeur of which I will never forget. Sometimes now in 
my old age, I am caught in reverie, and almost wish that 
I was young again, and could once more view just such 
another scene, but alas ! my youthful vigor of that day and 
time have passed, together with the grandeur of that 
scene, and I can only draw upon my imagination. We 
had plenty of music during the day to cheer us up and 
keep life. We reached the top and as the sun went down 
on the western side behind us, we went down with a quick 
step on the eastern side, reaching the level plane about one 
hour before dark. We continued our march till dark, when 
we went into camp. Whiting's and Jackson's divisions 
passing, and going into camp also. Early the next morning 
we started, Whiting's division leading. The incidents of 
this day's march is lost to memory. Suffice it to say that 
our march for the next two days was in a fine country, 
well supplied with English cherries and all those that were 
disposed to straggle fared sum.ptuously in that line. On 
the evening of the 26th Jackson's corps arrived and took 
position on the extreme left of Lee's army. It is said that 
Jackson and Ewell rode into Richmond that night, a dis- 
tance of 15 miles, and had a conference with President 
Davis and General Lee and formed their plans for the 
attack the next day. Gen. A. P. Hill, with his strong di- 
vision, attacked one of McLellan's strongholds late that 
evening, and after a sanguinary conflict and suffering con- 
siderable loss the Yankees were driven from their strong- 
hold on their right, which put Jackson in good shape for 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 71 

the attack the next morning, the 27th. I heard the firing 
of this engagement, and privately formed my own conclu- 
sions as to what was going to happen the next day, Friday, 
the 27th. On this march, straggling was strictly forbidden. 
It was said that on this march Jackson issued orders to us 
that if anybody asked us where we were going, say to 
them I don't know. In fact, say I don't knov/ to every ques- 
tion asked. It was said, that on this march, one of the 
Texans saw a large English cherry tree heavy laden with 
berries. He broke ranks and. started for them and meet- 
ing Jackson, the following coloquy ensued: Jackson says, 
"Where are you going?" The Texan replied, "I don t 
know" Jackson— "What command do you belong to? 
Texan— "I don't know." Jackson— "Haven't you had or- 
ders not to straggle?" Texan— "I don't know." Jackson— 
"What is your name?" Texan— "I don't know." Jackson— 
"Well what do you know?" Texan— "I know I want some 
of them cherries." Jackson started to ride off when the 
Texan asked, "What do you know?" Jackson replied m a 
low tone, "I know how to keep a secret." 



CHAPTER XXVI 

AN OLD VETERAN UNDER "STONEWALL" JACKSON 

IN THE BATTLES AROUND RICHMOND. 

No. 1. 

Dear Friend : 

Jackson's arrival with his corps from the valley to rein- 
force Lee, was anxiously looked for, and when notified of 
his near approach Lee ordered A. P. Hill to make the as- 
sault on the evening of the 26th, which I have already men- 
tioned. In anticipation of our arrivals. Hill renewed the 
attack at early dawn on the morning of the 27th. As the 
sun rose over the tree tops, the rattle of musketry, the 
booming of cannon, and the shouts and yells of the Con- 
federates was evidence that hot work was going on, and 
we were steadily advancing to decide it. A. P. Hill, with 
his strong division, assisted by Longstreet, and D. H. Hill, 
with their strong divisions, had attacked so furiously, and 
the discovery of Jackson by the Federal commander steady 



72 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

bearing down on his extreme right, caused him to hastily 
abandon his breastworks, leaving his tents standing, and a 
great deal of his camp equippage and commissary stores, 
only to seek and assume a position still stronger. This 
battle is known in history as that of Mechanicsville and 
Beaver Dam, and was the beginning of the second day's 
battle around Richmond. Jackson's corps had not yet been 
engaged, but had passed over and through a part of the 
battlefield in two hours after the battle had been fought, 
and there I formed my second impression of the horrors of 
a battlefield, but I would not let my mind dwell upon these 
things, and went on as merrily as a lark, rejoicing at our 
success, and fearing the engagement would soon end for 
the day and I would not get a chance to shoot. After the 
retreat of the enemy from this place there was a calm, not 
much firing going on except by the advanced pickets, and 
an occasional boom of a cannon. The second position taken 
by the Yankees is known in history as that of Gaines' Mill, 
or Cold Harbor, and was wisely selected as being one of 
great strength, and a brave body of troops could not have 
been driven from them by direct assault unless by over- 
whelming numbers. About 11 o'clock when the brilliant 
rays of the sun were illuminating the field, as far to the 
right as the eye could see, long lines of the boys in gray, 
with the beautiful Southern cross fluttering in the breeze 
and their bright muskets, and bayonets were glittering in 
the sun, with gorgeously dressed field officers, mounted on 
their brilliant chargers, could be seen. Upon inquiry by 
some of the oflftcers they were found to be the troops of 
Longstreet, and the two Hills (D. H. and A. P.) making 
preparations to assault the enemy in his last strong posi- 
tion. We had been marching slowly all day, bearing stead- 
ily to the left, in order that when we did attack, it would 
be on the extreme right of the Yankee army. General Lee 
had made his headquarters at the Hogan's House where 
he remained awaiting the arrival of Jackson. Our line of 
march led by this house, and it was about 1 o'clock when 
Jackson came along, and reigned in his horse and the Gen- 
erals saluted each other, shook hands and then engaged 
in a few moments' private conversation when General Lee 
mounted his horse and rode off, accompanied by his staff 
to the right. This was our first sight of Gen. R. E. Lee. 
It was then known that a terrible ordeal awaited us in 
front, which we were soon to meet. We moved on, crossed 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 73 

a branch, marched up the hill and halted. Here our division 
formed line of battle, Lawton's brigade of Georgians on 
our right, and Taylor with his Louisianians on our left. 
The front of each regiment was covered by a company of 
skirmishers. Ours was covered by Company "A" com- 
manded by that gallant and soldierly gentleman, Capt. Lock 
Weems, of Columbus, Ga. At the command, ''Forward," 
they moved in gallant style in search of the enemy. That 
was the last time I saw Capt. Weems. He was killed that 
day. At this particular time of which I write, the troops 
of Longstreet and the two Hills had encountered the enemy 
in his strong position, and the battle on the right was 
raging with great fury. 

Our company officers seemed to be at their best, repeating 
the orders of our gallant Lieut. Col. John F, Trentten, who 
had command of the left wing of the regiment. "Steady 
15th Alabama" was often shouted by our Col. Cantey. Thus 
v/e moved forward under shot and shell, preceded by our 
skirmishers who had not yet found the enemy. It was an 
exciting time with us then. The firing on the right be- 
came nearer and nearer, which was a sure indication that 
we would soon join the issue. We marched through a large 
field that had been occupied that morning by the enemy 
as a camp, which they had hastily abandoned, leaving their 
tents standing, and a great many other valuables that we 
could have appropriated, but we had no time to stop. The 
word was, onward! forward! on every tongue. Going up 
a slant and arriving at the top of the hill we discovered a 
house down near a branch that we had to cross. The house 
was directly in front of Company "K" (the company that 
was on our right.) The Colonel perceiving that we were 
going to become tangled and confused if we tried to break 
ranks and run around it, gave the command, "the three left 
companies obstacle, by the right flank, double quick, 
march." The commander of Company "K" repeated the 
order, then our Captain followed and Company "B" on our 
left followed us. We passed the house when the Colonel 
commanded "the three left companies into line, by the left 
flank, double quick, march." While all this was going on 
the Yankees were shelling us for all we were worth. The 
shells were bursting over and around us enough to have 
caused a panic, but we were quickly into line, pressing 
steadily on until we came to a sluggish stream which we 
had to cross, and our line became somewhat disorganized. 



74 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

Where, I, with some others crossed, it was boggy, and I 
bogged down with one foot nearly to my knee, and in try- 
ing to extricate myself my shoe string broke and I pulled 
my foot out, leaving my shoe in the mud. General Trimble 
happened to be near sitting on his horse looking at us bog- 
ging through that place. He seeing my condition, kindly 
said, "Soldier, get your shoe." I did so, and knocked the 
mud and water out of it and put it on. By this time the 
skirmishers in front were hotly engaged, which was evi- 
dence that their main line was near, and that we would 
soon attack. While I was detained in losing my shoe, my 
com.pany had gotten fifty or sixty yards ahead, but I with 
others ran, and soon overtook them and took our place in 
line, not, however, before we cross a broad road that ran 
nearly parallel to our line of march. When I reached the 
road I halted for a moment, and looked up the slant to my 
left. There I saw the red legged Zouaves of the enemy in 
line. They fired at us down the road as we passed. I dis- 
tinctly heard their bullets go hissing by, searching for a 
victim. I instantly raised my gun, and sent a ball and 
three buckshot among them, and cross over, pausing long 
enough to look at Tom Burk of Company "B," who had 
just been shot down, and was in the last agonies of death. 
A minnie ball had hit him in the pit of the stomach and 
with each pulsation his life's blood would gush from the 
hole. In his delirium he made an unsuccessful attempt 
to stop the hole with his canteen stopper. He was a noble 
young man with refined qualities. Peace to his ashes ! After 
the regiment had crossed the branch, and the road, a halt 
was made to rectify the line and as soon as that was done, 
we began our advance up a hill that obscured us from the 
enemy. I had reloaded my gun, and had overtaken, and 
resumed my position in the front rank of my company, 
and was ready for what afterwards occurred. Our skir- 
mishers had halted on the top of the hill and were fighting 
a regular line of battle, just down the slant on the other 
side. The hill was covered with large oaks with a right 
smart undergrowth, and our march was slow and cautious. 
All the while the small arms on the right were as a regular 
roll. You could not distinguish one gun from another. 
The bombshells bursting, their fragments flying in every 
direction, hitting a fellow occasionally, and the solid shot 
crashing through the boughs above our heads, and the com- 
mands of officers all added to the excitement of the occa- 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 75 

sion. While we were slowly advancing up this hill Sam 
Dickerson was shot through the heart, and was instantly 
killed. He was a good soldier and resided near Echo in 
Dale County, and was the first man killed in Gates' Com- 
pany. About this time heavy volleys of musketry tore loose 
on our left which indicated that Taylor's Louisianians had 
found the enemy, and 'twas said (as I have already stated) 
that here the Tigers were nearly all killed. Their com- 
mander, Maj. Wheat, was killed and they disbanded. We 
moved on until we reached the top of the hill and I will 
tell you in the next chapter what then took place. 



CHAPTER XXVII 

AN OLD VETERAN UNDER "STONEWALL" JACKSON 
IN THE BATTLES AROUND RICHMOND NO. 2. 

Dear Friend: 

When we reached the top of the hill referred to in the last 
chapter my company, with the balance of the left wing of 
the 15th Alabama opened fire upon the enemy which were 
down the slant on their knees about fifty yards away. We 
sent such a shower of "Buck and Ball" at them through 
the bushes and smoke that it left many of them hors de 
combat, and at the same time we received a shower of min- 
nie balls from them that caused several of my company to 
fall, while others sttaggered and reeled, and went to the 
rear wounded. Those of us that was not hurt set up a yell, 
fell upon our knees and loaded and fired in that position as 
fast as we could. Our company officers were diligent in 
their duties, encouraging the men by their examples and or- 
dering us to aim low that we might not overshoot and waste 
ammunition. There was so much smoke that it was only 
occasionally that we could see the enemy, but we knew he 
was there by the hissing of his bullets, and the wounding 
and killing of a man occasionally. We could very distinct- 
ly tell when the Yankess would receive reinforcements by 
the increase of their bullets and their cheers, but the storm 
of lead that we v.^ere constantly pouring at them prevented 
them from advancing any nearer than their front lines. 
The yelling and cheering of the Confederates, the roar of 



76 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

small arms, and thundering sound of artillery was so great 
that I could only tell when I had fired my gun by being 
punched (kicked) by the breech against my shoulder or jar 
by the stock against my right cheek bone. I loaded and 
fired so fast that the barrel of my gun became so hot that 
I thought it dangerous to pour powder in it, and laid it 
down and picked up another that had been dropped by a 
wounded man and used it until mine cooled off. While I 
was loading, firing and hollowing hurrah boys, "give it to 
'em," I would look to the right occasionally and through the 
smoke would catch a glimpse of our colors fluttering in the 
breeze, when I would feel cheerful, seeing them maintain 
their position. While in this position, loading and firing, 
some in my rear fired off their gun so near the right side 
of my head that for a moment I could not realize what had 
happeded, didn't know but what I was wounded, as there 
was a stinging sensation on the right side and the back of 
my neck, so severe that it caused me to rub with my hand. 

1 was considerably stunned for a few moments, and the 
stinging about my neck was caused by grains of powder 
which was of such force as to penetrate the skin. A great 
many of them have been picked out since the war, and 
while it has been forty-four years since the occurrance 
several grains are visible under the skin of my neck today. 
When I recovered from the shock I drew back my gun to 
strike the fellow that did it, accompanied by an exclama- 
tion that I will not repeat here, and with a hasty apology 
the blow was stayed and we continued to load and fire. 
We were good friends and bore no malice toward each 
other. He was a good soldier, served through the war, 
and has long since crossed the line and I am still living to 
record the occurrence. As well as I remember it was about 

2 P. M. when we opened fire upon the enemy and there we 
remained firing as fast as we could for two or three hours. 
It was reported to the oflftcers that we were running short 
of ammunition and details were made and sent to the rear 
for a new supply, but after using all we had or could get 
from the boxes of the dead and wounded, we run short 
before the details returned. I would not shoot away the last 
round I had, but kept my gun loaded for a case of emer- 
gency. While in this condition waiting, we lay flat upon 
the ground, the battle still raging on the right and left with 
great fury. The bursting shells, scattering their deadly 
fragments, together with the solid shot, crashing through 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 77 

the trees, tearing the limbs off made our position extremely 
perilous, and it would be necessary sometimes to run out 
of the way of a falling limb. While in this condition Gen- 
rai Ewell rode up in our rear with hat in hand, when he 
was met by our 1st Lieut. J. A. Gates, who informed the 
General the cause of our inaction. The General told him to 
fix bayonets and hold his position until he could send for 
the Texas Brigade to reinforce us. We had already fixed 
bayonets, ammunition was the thing most desired at that 
time. The detail with ammunition arrived soon after Gen- 
eral Ewell left, and we commenced in a hurry to refill our 
cartridge boxes. About the time we got through filling 
we looked down the hill in our rear, and there came the 4th 
Texas, half bent as if looking for a turkey. We greeted 
them with a cheer that they responded. They marched 
up to our position and halted, rectified their line, fired one 
volley down the slant through the bushes at the Yankees, 
when they were ordered to cease firing, reload and fix 
bayonets. The firing from the Yankee's infantry had be- 
come slack, but the ten-gun battery, four or five hundred 
yards in the rear was shelling us vigorously, which was 
an indication that they were preparing to advance on us, 
or was expecting an attack from us. While the Texans 
were getting ready, our oflficers anticipating an order for 
a general charge, began to rectify our line and be ready. 
There was so much smoke that you could only tell an Ala- 
bamian from a Texan by a badge or kind of gun he carried. 
The Texans were armed with short Enfield rifles with sabre 
bayonets, and we with smooth bore muskets. All being 
ready, the command "charge" was given, we raised a yell 
and dashed down the slant pell mell, (the Texans and right 
wing of our regiment bearing to the right), yelling all the 
time, expecting a hand to hand encounter when we reached 
their line, where last seen, but instead of a hand to hand 
engagement as we expected, when we reached their line 
numbers of them lay dead or too badly wounded to be 
moved. There was the result of a two or three hours en- 
gagement with "buck and ball" when well directed. We 
were out of the smoke then, and we could see them from 
fifty to one hundred yards in front, scattered and running 
for dear life. They had lost their organization in their 
retreat, and we had lost ours in pursuit. We kept up our 
yelling and firing and swept grandly on. The path of their 
retreat was marked by the dead and wounded. I don't 



78 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

remember any of my company to have been killed or wound- 
ed in this charge. There was no skulking with the officers 
and men. Forward was the word from every officer and 
private. It seemed that the boys tried to see who could 
yell the loudest, run, fire and load the fastest. I will re- 
late an incident of this charge that happened with myself 
and Calvin Kirkland, of my company. We happened to be 
together at one time in the charge, both running and yell- 
ing, when all at once there was smoke out of a gun from 
behind a pine tree about 25 yards in front, both of us saw 
it, and as soon as the gun fired, a Yankee dashed off in a 
run to escape, we both raised our muskets, and having a 
fair shot at his back, we both fired at the same time, when 
down he fell and lay still. Calvin looked at me and asked 
if I fired. I said yes, did you? He replied yes, and we got 
him. We passed close by him and paused long enough to 
see several bullet holes in the back of his blouse. We hur- 
ried on, and all at once Calvin stopped, looking at some- 
thing under a clay-root, it proved to be a Yankee that had 
crawled under there for protection, but had left his feet 
exposed. I left Calvin talking to him. It was said that 
Calvin told him to com.e out, for he knew he was there by 
his feet, and it was with some difficulty that he got out; he 
was scared hal fto death, and Calvin told hira to go to the 
rear, wliich he did. The sun was not m.ore than one hour high 
and the canopy of sm.oke was so thick that the sun was 
gloomily red in the heavens. The Texans had charged 
soraewhat to the right, and they, with other troops, had 
about this time encountered the ten-gun battery of the ene- 
my, and was making a desperate effort to capture it. The 
enemy after a stubborn resistance had been driven that 
evening from every position taken and this was his last 
stand, and it was known by our general officers that if they 
could be driven from that position the victory for that day 
would be complete. While this heavy fighting was going 
on over the battery other troops of Jackson's Corps was 
sweeping down from the left driving everything before 
them, while my command was driving a disorganized rab- 
ble in the center. About sundown the firing slackened, a 
yell was sent up, and it was known that the battery had 
been captured. Some of the troops that had been advanc- 
ing on the left proved to be Alabamians. If I remember 
right they were of Wilcox's Brigade. They were on top of 
a hill trying to form line. I and others of my command 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 79 

got mixed up with them. Their field officers were on their 
horses giving commands, some making speeches and such 
a yelHng and tossing of hats I had never heard or saw be- 
fore, I actually thought, from the number of dead and 
wounded that I saw that evening, that the war was ended 
and that I was glad that I was there living to see the end, 
but that proved to be only a beginnig with me. In my line 
of advance I came across a line of knapsacks that had been 
abandoned by the enemy, and on my return when I reached 
them, I stopped and opened one in search of a shirt. I found 
what we soldiers called a "biled" shirt with cuffs and col- 
lars which I had no use for, so I laid them aside. I also 
found a revolver and an opera glass, v/hich I also laid aside 
but I have always been sorry that I didn't keep the glass, 
for 1 needed it the next morning to look at Low's baloon. 
I passed through a part of our battle ground picking up 
tv/o well filled Yankee haversacks. I soon found a part of 
m.y command where they had gone into camp, and we be- 
gan to talk of those that had been killed and wounded. I 
don't remember but two that was instantly killed and four 
wounded. Two of those that were wounded are still living, 
J. H- Whatley and C. C. Stone. The killed were Sam Dick- 
erson and George Byrd. There might have been others 
killed or wounded but I don't remember. I examined my 
haversacks and found them rich with hard tack and bacon, 
a sack of ground coffee, with a string of dried apples about 
two feet long in each sack. I made m.y supper on hard tack 
and bacon. Our camp Vv^as in hearing of the groans of 
some of the wounded that had been left lying on the battle- 
field. I was tired and nearly exhausted. It had been so 
w^arm that evening that I had sweated so much that there 
was hardly a dry thread in my clothes. I had hollowed so 
much, that when I cooled off my throat become so sore that 
I could scarcely swallow, but as tired as I was, I with some 
others took a light and went to some of the wounded that 
was calling to their comrades for help. The first one I 
found was a Louisianian with one thigh broken. He was 
lying on the ground within three feet of a wounded Yankee 
shot through the bowels. He was delirious, but could call 
for water and his mother, "0 Mother." Poor fellow, I was 
sorry for him; I gave him water and turned him as well as 
I could on his blanket and spread his "gum" over him to 
protect him from the cold dew. I also fixed the Louisianian 
as comfortably as I could, giving him water also and leav- 



80 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

ing plenty with them to keep them from perishing for the 
want of it until they could be removed the next day. I was 
so tired and worn out that I left them alone in the dark 
and returned to camp and went to sleep ; was up early the 
next morning ready. Some of the boys were sitting by the 
fire smoking and telling the events of the day, while 
others were sound asleep. I claim the honor, if honor it 
be, of being the first one of Gates' Company to fire a gun 
in this engagement. The gun referred to in the preceed- 
ing chapter that I fired at the red legged Zouaves in the 
road, was in my opinion the first. Well, my dear friend, 
these things happened on the 27th of June, 1862, more than 
forty-four years ago. Who will be here 25 years from now 
to tell of this days victory for the Sunny South? I have 
no idea that it will be me. 



CHAPTER XXVIII 

AN OLD VETERAN UNDER "STONEWALL" JACKSON 

IN THE BATTLES AROUND RICHMOND 

NO. 3. 

Dear Friend: 

After the hard day's battle o fthe 27th you may be anx- 
ious to know what we did on the 28th. Listen: Without 
the aid of a diary, or record of any kind, it is impossible 
to tell half of the things that did occur on these memorable 
days of the war around Richmond, the Capital of the Con- 
federacy, but as I sit alone with my mind concentrated on 
the events of these bloody days of my past life, I have to 
write of things as I remember them. Well, as well as I re- 
member I rose early on the morning of 28th rather cold with 
stiffened joints, caused by heat and exertion of the evening 
before. I hied away to a spring near by and laid off my 
old dingy, dirty shirt and with the free use of soap, water 
and towels, I rid myself of about ten days accumulation of 
dirt, when I donned my "biled" shirt that I mentioned in 
the preceeding chapter. It was new, had never been worn, 
starched and ironed, and was as white as snow, and I had 
no coat to hide it, as the weather was so warm that I had 
throwed it away three days ago, and was going into these 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 81 

battles with my shirt sleeves unencumbered, with nothing 
but a Yankee gum and a half tent fly, (the old soldiers 
know what they are), a well filled Yankee haver- 
sack, full of good rations, a conteen of water, a 
good gun and plenty of ammunition ; that was all I wanted. 
My shirt was so white that it was the subject for many 
remarks, some of which was so suggestive that it would 
have caused a "milk and cider" sort of fellow to have want- 
ed to get rid of it, but my strong and unfaltering belief 
in the doctrine of predestination caused me to wear that 
shirt, though white as snow, without fear, it made no dif- 
ference. After cleaning up I went back to camp and found 
some of the boys up, but many still asleep taking their rest. 
I was up early, for I wanted to get in shape for the fight 
that I expected that day, so I was greatly improved by my 
cleaning up, and my ailments were soon forgotten. About 
sunrise reville was sounded and we attended roll call. 
There were several absent, but I can't remember v/ho now. 
Needham Murphy, a brave and noble hearted young man 
of my company was not able to rise and answer when his 
name was called, and he lay prostrate upon his blanket 
spread upon the ground there suffering the tortures of a 
burning fever which was caused by heat and over-exertion 
of the evening before. As well as I remember Captain 
Gates sent for an ambulance and had him carried to the 
hospital for treatment, and that was the last time any of 
us saw Need Murphy. We all liked him and was sorry to 
hear of his death. After roll call we began to make fires 
and make coffee and stew dried apples that we had found 
in the Yankee haversacks, with many other good things 
such as ham, soda and sweet crackers, with cans of con- 
densed milk, presed vegetables to make soup, chocolate and 
green tea, and a great many other luxuries that I can't re- 
member now. It was a feast with us then, but hush! the 
booming of cannon far to the right was heard, which was 
evidence that this was to be another day of carnage. The 
sun from the Eastern hills began to pour forth her rays of 
warmth, melting the cold dew that had fell during the 
night upon the dead and wounded that had been left on the 
field during the night, although every exertion had been 
made by our people to care for the wounded and bury the 
dead of both armies, and after working all night, many 
wounded remained to be moved and many dead to be 
buried. The care of the wounded and burying the dead 



82 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

was not our job, there were men detailed for that purpose, 
and our job was to be kill and wound some more Yankees 
or be killed or wounded by them, and as the booming of 
cannon and the sound of small arms began to increase far 
to the right, we knew we were not long to be kept waiting. 
See! yonder comes Colonel Canty on his charger. He com- 
mands "fall in." This done we move off left in front. 
We were carried through a part of our battle-ground where 
we got a better view of the damage we did the Yankees the 
evening before. We continued our march with the balance 
of the brigade, crossing a small branch, then ascending a 
hill in an open field, the position of the ten-gun battery of 
the enemy that the Texans, with the aid of other troops, 
succeeded in capturing the evening before. Here were 
evidences of a mighty struggle. The guns were still there 
with their brave defenders lying dead or wounded beside 
the wheels and under the guns where they were shot down 
or bayonetted by the Texans and Georgians. The last ef- 
fort to recapture those guns was made by a brigade of 
Yankee cavalry, but the unerring aim of the Texans and 
Georgians was so effective, emptying so many saddles at 
the first volley that it produced a panic and they fled in 
confusion across the Chicahominy. I mentioned in the pre- 
ceeding chapter the capture of this battery and I only re- 
fer to it now because our line of march of the next morn- 
ing brought us over the ground and we became eye wit- 
nesses to the evidence of the struggle. While near this 
place about 8 A. M. a balloon was seen to ascend from the 
South side of the Chicahominy for the purpose of overlook- 
ing our position, when Captain Courtney of our brigade 
unlimbered two of his three-inch rifle guns and threw a 
couple of shells at him, they exploding near by, which 
made him come down faster than the boy did when found 
by the old man up one of his apple trees. We remained 
on this historic spot but a short while. It was ascertained 
that a few of the enemy still remained on the North side of 
the Chickahominy, and Swell's Division, accompanied by 
Stewart's Brigade of cavalry, was sent to attack them, but 
upon our approach they fled to the South side, burning the 
bridge behind them. We moved farther to the left and 
seized the York River R. R. bridge to prevent a retreat in 
that direction. We formed line of battle, threw out skirm- 
ishers, and waited for the advance of the enemy, but he 
did not come that way. While here in line Colonel Canty 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 83 

rode in front of us as if on review, he observing my white 
shirt, called me by name and said, "You will be a conspicr 
ious object for the Yankees to shoot at today," I made no 
reply, but thought he would be as conspicious as I was, if 
he continued to ride that fine horse. The firing that we 
heard early in the morning had nearly ceased, and from the 
clouds of dust seen rising on the South side of the Chicka- 
hominy was evidence that there was a general commotion 
among the troops on that side. The abandonment of the 
road and burining of the bridge was evidence to us that 
no further attempt would be made to hold that line, and a 
way out of this trouble was anxiously sought for by the 
Federal Commander. My memory is not clear on all the 
movements made by us on that day. I know we were not 
engaged that day, but was kept moving around pretty 
much all day marching, etc., and halting near a railroad 
where the enemy had a depot of supplies. It was dark and 
drizzling rain, we were halted in the road and received no 
command but to "rest." When ordered to rest we broke 
ranks and began a search for a dry place to sit or lie down, 
but it was mud everywhere. I squatted at the root of a 
pine, spreading my gum over my head to keep dry, my mus- 
ket resting across my lap. We had orders not to build fires 
or make a noise, but some of the men would cuss a little 
anyhow. We remained in that position all night, and I 
tell you dear friend I was glad when I saw the streaks of 
day began to appear in the East. The Yankees had been 
driven from every position taken, and the scene around 
this depot was evidence of a hasty retreat, for there were 
scores of barrels of ground coffee, sugar, rice, syrup, salt, 
tea, flour and meal and other things. Our haversacks 
were filled with everything that we needed, and the thing 
most desired was to move out of that mud. The fighting by 
som.e of the troops had commenced, and we expecting to 
be called on every minute. At last orders came to move 
and we did in a hurry, but before we reached the battle- 
field the Yankees had been driven again, and our advanced 
troops were in hot pursuit. We passed through the field 
where the dead and wounded Yankees lay thick and our 
folks were caring for them as fast as they could, I was 
taken sick and stopped, and when our Regimental Surgeon 
Dr. Rives came along, I reported to him and he prescribed 
for me, and he give me an unlimited permit to remain in 
the rear and come on when I got able to travel. I halted 



84 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

and my company soon passed out of sight in pursuit of the 
enemy in his retreat down the peninsula. I sat down by 
a pine, near by was a Yankee that had been wounded that 
morning, both his thigh bones had been broken and he was 
also leaning against another pine. He did not complain 
at all, but kept cursing our troops all the time they were 
passing. In conversation with him I ascertained that he 
belonged to the 2nd Vermont, and was the only abolition- 
ist that I conversed with during the war. He was one of 
the bitterest kind. He was the only wounded Yankee that 
I saw during the war that refused to accept some favor 
that I could do. He wouldn't accept a drink of water that 
I offered ; he hated me, and didn't mind to tell me so. He 
was a bad 'un. He was properly and humanely cared for 
by our people. I remained at, and around this place till 
late in the evening, when I started in the direction of the 
army. Going about four hundred yards I came to a camp 
of sick soldiers, where they were halting for treatment. 
I had plenty of medicine, with directions from Dr. Rives 
and needed no assistance from the doctors at this place. 
I remained there all night, and will reserve the balance for 
the next chapter. 



CHAPTER XXIX 

AN OLD VETERAN UNDER "STONEWALL" JACKSON 

IN THE BATTLES AROUND RICHMOND 

NO. 4. 

Dear Friend: 

I remained that night (the 29th) with a whole lot of sick 
soldiers, and the next morning the surgeons were busy 
examining the sick and loading the ambulances for the 
hospitals at Richmond. I was billed to go, but asked to 
be excused, telling the doctor that I was feeling better and 
would be able to go to my command in a day or two. 
There were plenty of nurses and doctors to give medicine 
and wait on the convalescent. During the day heavy can- 
nonading and a low dull sound of small arms could be 
heard in the direction the army had gone. I could not 
help but feel uneasy, laboring under great suspense in not 
knowing how the battle was going, or knowing what com- 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 89 

mand was engaged. I enquired of every one that passed 
from that direction and at last I received the glad tidings 
that Jackson's Corps had not been engaged. I was un- 
easy about my company and was fearful that my continued 
absence might create a suspicion in the mind of my captain 
that I was a skulker from duty, but Dr. Rives had report- 
ed my condition to my captain and he was somewhat sur- 
prised when I returned. About the middle of the P. M. 
Alf Dozier, of the Henry Grays and his brother Guss, of 
my company (the Henry Pioneers) came along, both sick 
and had passes to the rear. Guss, finally relieved me of 
my suspense when he told me that our company had not 
been engaged, but had been under fire without casualty. 
Alf was on his way to the camp of the 6th Alabama, where 
they had left on the 26th of June to join in the great bat- 
tle of the 27th. Alf insisted that I should go back with 
him, and I consented to do so. All three of us reached his 
camp about sun-down. The tents, or a part of them, were 
still standing and myself and Guss stayed with Alf in his 
tent that night. Several of the 6th had been left in camp 
sick, not able for duty, and one of the Grays that I well 
remember was Lieut. A. T. Owens, who was left sick or 
was detailed for some kind of duty, I don't remember 
which, he knew me and my family at home, and he treated 
me very courteously. All during the day I was possessed 
with an uneasiness that I could not account for, and in the 
P. M. I resolved to strike out for my command. I made 
known my determination to Alf and Guss, but they insist- 
ed that I should remain until the next day and they would 
then go with me. No amount of persuasion or promises 
could deter me from my determination, I had resolved to 
go, and go I would. About 3 P. M. I struck out for my 
command, Alf and Guss following about a mile out. Heavy 
cannonading was going on away down the James River. 
We went up-stairs in a house that stood near the road and 
opened a window in the East end, and there remained for 
about one hour listening at the heaviest cannonading that 
had been heard since the war began in that part of the 
army. It proved to be the battle of "Malvern Hill," the 
results of which was not very favorable to the Confeder- 
ates. It was the last stand that the Federals made on their 
retreat, until they finally reached cover under their gun- 
boats at Harrison's Landing on the James. After listening 
as long as I wanted to, I became impatient and bid Alf and 



«6 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

Guss good-bye. I reached my camp that I had left the 
evening before and remained all night. Early the next 
morning, feeling first-rate, I prepared and ate my break- 
fast and started in search of my command. I made good 
time and was not by myself on this march, for there were 
others on the same errand that I was, hunting their com- 
mands. Late in the P. M. we began to come to troops 
in camp, and began to inquire for our commands. At last 
about sun-down I found my company and went forthwith 
and reported to my commanding officer, Lieut. C. V. Morris, 
who seemed glad to see me and was somewhat surprised at 
my speedy recovery. We remained in this camp but a few 
days when we took up the line of march in the direction of 
Richmond, passing through some of the battlefields where 
the Federals had made temporary stands on their retreat, 
leaving their dead on the field. Many of the dead were un- 
buried and the stench was almost unbearable. The next 
day we passed through Richmond. The news of our ap- 
proach, and the line of travel through the city had been 
made known in advance, and the people had gathered on 
each side of the street to welcome and cheer us on. The 
entrance of "Stonewall-" Jackson's Corps into the city of 
Richmond at this time was an event that will never be for- 
gotten by me. The ovation that we received from the old 
men and women, the beautiful girls and boys made each 
one feel himself a hero from the Shenandoah Valley under 
"Stonewall" Jackson. The patriotic heart of George Wash- 
ington could not have been swelled with more pride when 
on one occasion they strewed his way with flowers, than did 
the hearts of Jackson's Corps when we marched through 
Richmond at this time. We marched through, and out 
about four miles northward and went into camp, but not to 
remain idle many days. This was about the middle of July 
and the balance of the year 1862 was stirring times with 
this old veteran. 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 87 

CHAPTER XXX 

AN OLD VETERAN UNDER "STONEWALL" JACKSON 

IN HIS SUMMER CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE 

FEDERAL GENERAL JOHN POPE 

NO. 1. 

Dear Friend: 

The seven days' battles around Richmond resulted in a 
complete victory for the Confederates over the Federal 
army commanded by General McClellan having ended our 
corps was marched through Richmond and as I stated in 
the last chapter we went into camp four or five miles North 

tamed by our generals that another large Yankee armv 
was organizing on the Rappahannock River in Culpepper 
thp" w /f^ ^"''P'''^ of advancing against Richmond on 
!, ,.^t^^^ ^^^"^^ ^"d Alexander R.R. The armv 
under McClellan, which had been defeated before Ri^! 
mond, was known as the Army of the Potomac, and this 
new army that was organizing was known as the Army of 
Virginia, and was commanded by General John Pope 
a braggart from the West. His first general order 

iLf rJZL ^''^""l'^ :y^' ^P«" the noncombatants 
that remained m his lines, ordering the arrest of 
citizens and those refusing to take the oath of allegiance 
were to be driven from their homes, and if caught a^afn 

Z^^lV^'V'^^'l' '""'^ "^"^^ b^ ^^^-ted as sp^fsand'^e 
subject to the extreme rigor of military law. This order 
IS amusing to any one who are familiar with all his de- 
feats from Cedar Run on the 9th of August, clear on 
through several engagements including the last days of 
August on the plams of Manassas, where his defeat was 
so disastrous as to cause his retreat and finally his resigna- 
tion. In some succeeding chapter I will tell of these en- 
gagements as I recollect them. But to return. To meet 
inl p^^'^'^'V^'V^'' that was gathering on the Rappahan- 
nock River, Jackson, with his corps about the 20th of Julv 
was ordered to proceed to Gordonsville, where he would 
be m position to check any movement that Pope might 



88 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

make until General Lee could reinforce him from Rich- 
mond. We marched to Hanover Junction and there board- 
ed the cars for Gordonsville, when we marched out some 
five or six miles in the direction of Orange Court House, 
and went into camp. We privates were perfectly ignorant 
of the situation of affairs, not knowing what was in store 
for us a few days later on. We had a fine camp and drill 
ground, good water, good health and a plenty to eat. Our 
camp was in the midst of wealthy and patriotic citizens. 
There were three families near together by the name of 
Graves. One of them was a widow lady about 50 years old 
who had two sons in war. She had a great deal of personal 
property around her premises that needed protection, and 
she made an application for a guard, and fortunately for 
myself, I and Mose Maybin was detailed to guard her 
premises. She lived some three or four miles from camp, 
and when we reported we asked her for orders, she told us 
to make ourselves at home, eat our meals with her at her 
table and keep the foraging class of soldiers away from her 
bee-gums, chicken-roost and corn-field, which were at that 
time in roasting-ear, or nearly so. Some of the soldiers 
had been pulling them and she wanted that stopped. In 
connection with this guard duty I will relate a singular 
circumstance that happened; though strange, 'tis true. 
Every morning after breakfast we made our rounds of her 
cornfields, returning and going again at ten, returning at 
twelve. One day while on our second round we met a fel- 
low with a sack of corn just pulled. We arrested him, took 
his corn away from him, took his name, company, regi- 
ment and brigade. After all this he began to inquire 
what we were up to and what we meant. We told him our 
orders and that he could go, we would only report him to 
his captain. He began to beg, making all sorts of promises 
and Mose and myself become sympathetic, promised him 
we would not report him if he would tell others what they 
might expect if they were caught in that corn-field, and for 
that to be his last offense. He promised faithfully and we 
didn't report him. His name was Solomon and belonged 
to the 9th Louisiana Regiment. The strange part of my 
stry is that we met again after the war, some time in the 
70's. While sitting around one of my neighbor's cane 
mill one night with several of the neighbor boys chatting 
and chewing cane, a gentleman came out from supper, in- 
troducing himself as Mr. Solomon. He took a seat near by. 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 89 

and pretty soon began to talk, telling- his old war stories. 
I became interested in him and asked him what army he 
belonged to, corps, division, brigade and regiment. He 
said he belonged to Lee's Army, Jackson's Corps, Ewell's 
Division, Taylor's Brigade and the 9th Louisiana Regi- 
ment, and also his company, but I have forgotten now. I 
looked at him closely and imagined that there was some- 
thing about him that I could recognize, and ventured to 
ask him if he was with the army when it was in camp near 
Gordons ville just before the battle of Cedar Run. He said 
yes. "Did you ever see me before," I asked. After look- 
ing at me closely he replied that he did not remember. I 
asked him if he was the Solomon that two soldiers arrested 
coming out of Mrs. Graves' corn-field with a sack of roast- 
ing-ears about the second of August, '62. He looked as- 
tonished, laughed and said yes, and went on to tell how 
kindly he was treated by them two soldiers and said they 
were Alabamians and belonged to Trimble's Brigade. I 
then told him that I was one of them boys. He gathered 
me by the hand and seemed proud to see me. He again 
looked at me closely and said that " your eyes are familiar, 
but you had no beard then, I would never have known you 
again." He inquired of me about the other fellow, Mose 
Maybin and seemed to regret it when I told him that he 
was killed at Sharpsburg. Solomon was a traveling sewing 
machine fixer, and I have never seen him since that night. 
In a day or two after that I and Mose was called into camp, 
and regretted very much that we could not remain with 
Mrs. Graves longer, as we were having such a good time. 
We moved our camp near Roberson's River, a tributary of 
the Rapid Ann River, where we done picket duty at Liberty 
Mills, on said River a few days before we marched to at- 
tack Pope, then in camp around Culpepper Court House, 
about twenty-five miles away. 



90 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 



CHAPTER XXXI 

AN OLD VETERAN UNDER "STONEWALL" JACKSON 

IN HIS SUMMER CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE 

FEDERAL GENERAL JOHN POPE 

NO. 2. 

Dear Friend : 

We had not been in camp on Roberson's River but a short 
while before a promiscuous detail was made to go on picket. 
I being the next man on the roll for such service, was told 
by my orderly to report to Seargeant (I have forgotten 
who), who was to command the detail that was to go on 
picket. There were eight or ten in the squad and we 
marched off in the direction of the enemy, crossing the 
bridge just above Liberty Mills. A cavalryman who was 
our guide informed us that the Yankees was not very far 
off, their reserve being in camp at a place called "Jack's 
Shop" some three or four miles in the direction of Orange 
Court House. After marching about a half mile we turned 
to the left and ascended a long hill, reaching an abandoned 
dwelling house from which we had a fine view of the sur- 
rounding country, especially up the road in the direction of 
"Jack's Shop." On reaching the house on the hill our 
cavalryman charged us to keep a sharp look out and be on 
the alert, for an advance by the Yankee cavalry was mo- 
mentarily expected, and that we only had a few cavalry in 
our front to watch their movements. The next thing to 
be done was to establish a picket post, and advanced vi- 
dette. One man of our squad was detailed and the picket 
post established down on the side of this road, some two 
hundred yards from this house, the place of the reserve. 
It was getting late, the sun was nearly hid. We remained 
on this duty undisturbed until the next evening. The place 
selected for our vidette post was an admirable one for our 
secretion, but in plain view from the house on the hill. The 
roadbed was some five or six feet below a level, and we had 
a plain view of about one hundred and fifty yards up the 
road in the direction of "Jack's Shop," when the road made 
a curve to the right, which could be plainly seen from the 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 91 

house where the reserve was. It came my time again to 
go on post from 2 to 4, and as well as I remember about 3 
o'clock the carbines in the direction of the enemy began to 
crack. I thought something was going to happen and I 
began to feel chilly, being down there so far off from help 
alone. I kept a close watch up the road, all the while 
drawing on my imaginations. Presently I saw two of our 
cavalrymen coming slowly, looking back occasionally. They 
came slowly on until they arrived opposite where I was 
concealed in the jam of the fence, they did not see me until 
I spoke, when they told me to look out, the Yankees were 
advancing, and they passed on toward the bridge. It was 
then up to me to look, and I did look too, first up the road 
and then up the hill where the reserve was. The chill got 
harder, imaginations become more rapid, how and what 
was I to do when the Yankees come along there, was what 
was flitting through my mind. I looked and looked, won- 
dering, I couldn't run, I would be obliged to stand. I did 
not fear capture when my help at the reserve was so near, 
unless there were too many for us, and in such an event I 
thought I would be notified in time, I was in a bad fix 
then. Look out! Some one said up on the hill; I was 
watching and not asleep, I was too chilly for that. I fixed 
myself; I knew that something was going to happen, and 
something had to be done. There he comes, "a boy in blue" 
riding slowly, looking cautiously on every side,I was watch- 
ing and had my mind made, up what to do and say. I was 
ready, kept my eye on him all the time, he came slowly on 
until within about fifty yards he halted, turning around in 
his saddle and said in a low voice, "Come on you cow- 
ardly scamp." More behind, thought I. The reserve upon 
the hill was watching all this, but they kept concealed and 
said nothing. (I thought to myself, I have the advantage 
and I am going to keep it.) He started again and came 
slowly on. I let him pass me a little when I rose quickly 
with my musket cocked, finger on the trigger, the breach 
against my shoulder aiming at his right side when I 
stormed out at him to surrender. He saw at a glance the 
situation. There was no time to parley and what he had 
to do had to be done quickly. He had his carbine 
in his hand with the breach resting on his thigh. He lost 
no time in throwing it down and dismounting. He then 
unbuckled his belt that had his sabre, cartridge box and a 
fine Remington 44 calibre revolver attached. While all 



92 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

this was going on I kept my aim on him, giving him no ad- 
vantage. I made him hang all those things on his saddle 
and march off eight or ten steps, which he did. I croseed 
over the fence, mounted his horse and rode him to camp, 
keeping the Yankee well in front. Just about the time that 
I mounted, the other Yankee that was following fired at 
us, and from the noise of the bullet it went wild in the 
air. I traveled in a double quick until I arrived at the 
bridge when I met another detail going to relieve our squad, 
and I never went back to them. I don't know who took 
charge of the Yankee, but the quartermaster took charge 
of the horse, gun and sabre, allowing me to appropriate the 
revolver to my own use, which I did by selling it to Lieut. 
H. C. Brainard. That horse stayed with our regiment a 
good long time. Captain Gates soon became a field officer 
and the quartermaster furnished him this horse to ride. 
I don't know how long he kept him, but he could stand 
the roar of small arms and the bursting of shells without 
flinching. I ascertained that the captured Yankee belong- 
ed to the 1st New Jersey Cavalry commanded by Colonel 
Joseph Karge, of Bayard's Brigade. Perhaps I may meet 
him some time. From some cause the Yankees did not ad- 
vance in force, they only advanced their feelers far enough 
out where we were and after ascrtaining that fact they fell 
back in the direction of Orange Court House. Jackson 
was anxious to attack Pope, but felt too weak with only 
his and Ewell's Division. He had kept General Lee in- 
formed as to his and Pope's strength and his desire to at- 
tack and asked General Lee for reinforcements, when Lee 
sent Gen. A. P. Hill with his division from Richmond. 
There were daily clashes between our cavalry and that of 
the Yankees on the Rapid Ann and around Orange Court 
House, which generally resulted in favor of our cavalry. 
General Hill having arrived with his division Jackson lost 
no time in preparing to advance toward Culpepper Court 
House where Pope was. On the 7th of August, my 18th 
birthday, we broke camp and began to advance. We made 
slow progress that day, camping near the Rapid Ann, not 
being allowed to make fires in order to conceal our advance 
which the enemy could easily see from his signal station on 
Clark's Mountain. On the morning of the 8th our advan- 
ced cavalry drove in the Yankee pickets, and we began to 
advance slowly. Our cavalry pursued the enemy's cavalry 
on the dirt road from Barnett's Ford to Culpepper Court 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 93 

House, (or near there) and was followed by the Infantry, 
our division leading. The Yankee cavalry on this day dis- 
played unusual activity and Lawton's Brigade of Georgians 
were detailed to guard the wagon train. This kept them 
from participating in the battle of the next day, known as 
the battle of Cedar Run or Slaughter's Mountain, which I 
will tell about in the next chapter. 



CHAPTER XXXII 

AN OLD VETERAN UNDER "STONEWALL" JACKSON 

IN HIS SUMMER CAMPAIGN AGAINST 

THE FEDERAL GENERAL, JOHN POPE. 

No. 3. 

Dear Friend: ; 

The battle of Cedar Run (on Slaughter's Mountain) was 
fought on the 9th of August. This was an exceedingly warm 
day, and our progress was slow. Late in the afternoon, 
arriving in about eight miles of Culpepper Court House, we 
found the enemy's cavalry strongly posted near Cedar Run, 
a short distance west and north of Slaughter's Mountain. 
General Jubal A. Early with his brigade of Virginians, was 
the leading brigade of our division, followed closely by 
ours, and the Louisiana brigade. As soon as the enemy 
were discovered our batteries came to the front, and a few 
well directed shots caused them to retire. As soon as their 
cavalry retired they threw forward a long line of infantry 
skirmishers, followed by heavy reserves. In the meantime 
Early had thrown forward his skirmishers, and were fol- 
lowing with his brigade as a support. While all this was 
being done each side was bringing new batteries into play, 
and a regular artillery duel ensued, and at the sam.e time 
the enemy was extending his right by throwing large 
bodies of infantry in that direction. The battlefield of 
Cedar Run was not a level plane, the ground was hilly and 
undulating, with an occasional clump of cedar on the small 
hills. There was a wheat field with shocks of wheat stand- 
ing which gave the Yankee skirmishers some protection for 
awhile. Our brigade, the 15th Alabama leading, moved 



94 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

off to the right, along and near the base of the mountain, 
keeping our movements concealed until we could arrive at 
right angles to the enemy's left. In this movement it was 
designed by our Brigadier General (Trimble) that after 
gaining the enemy's left, the 15th Alabama would swoop 
down on him with such suddenness and terror that would 
double his left back on his center, and at the same time 
with a heavy pressure upon his right by the other troops 
would cause him to sing the old song, "Right about boys, 
skedaddle." We gained our position and had a splendid 
view of the battle, and had a golden opportunity of crush- 
ing the enemy's left, but could not do so on account of our 
own shells. General Trimble dispatched his couriers to 
General Ewell informing him of our condition, but there 
was no relaxation in the fire of our guns at that time, the 
battle was raging in the center and on our left. The enemy 
had succeeded in extending his right so far until he had 
flanked the left of Jackson's old division, and bore down 
upon them with such a force as to cause confusion in some 
of his brigades, but A. P. Hill arrived about this time with 
his division, throwing forward three or four of his brigades 
against the advancing enemy, which put a check upon their 
ardor, which caused them to turn and flee for safety. After 
this repulse of the infantry the last effort to retrieve the 
fortunes of the day was made by a charge of the Yankee 
cavalry upon some of our infantry. This charge upon our 
infantry was met with great firmness, and the slaughter 
was so terrible as to cause those living to escape the best 
they could. The battle never commenced in earnest until 
about 5 o'clock, and from then until sundown it raged with 
great fury, when about that time the Confederates began 
to advance and press the rear of the Yankees on their re- 
treat towards Culpepper Court House, where the main 
body of Pope's army lay. The firing of our own artillery 
that had hindered our advance no longer existing, our 
brigade advanced en-echelon of regiments, the front being 
covered with skirmishers from the 15th Alabama Regi- 
ment. It was growing dark, and the enemy discovering 
our advance threw forward a battery, and opened upon us 
with canister that wounded three men of our regiment. 
Had this battery remained in position five minutes longer 
we would have certainly captured it, for our Brigadier Gen- 
eral was on his mettle chaffing under disappointment for 
not having an opportunity to assault the enemy's left which 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 95 

lay so fair before us, while the battle was raging in plain 
view in the center and right of the enemy. The battery 
limbered up and moved off in the darkness, just in time 
to escape notwithstanding our rapid pursuit. Darkness 
found us in possession of the ground occupied by the Fed- 
eral left, where some abandoned ambulances, wagons and 
ammunition fell into our hands which was removed the next 
day. The Federal troops that engaged us that day were 
commanded by the Federal General N. P. Banks, who bore 
the soubriquet in that day and time as being Jackson's 
commissary, and it was camp rumor that Jackson was glad 
of the opportunity of meeting his old valley adversary with 
his wagons well filled with army supplies, and that it did 
not take any great amount of parleying between Jackson's 
and Banks' men before an agreement would be made that 
Jackson's men should have the rations. It was a general 
thing, when we tackled Banks we got rations. Here I will 
leave General Banks with a routed corps to be mentioned 
later on. With the close of this day the battle of Cedar 
Run was ended, another victory for "Stonewall" Jackson's 
corps was added to the pages of history. Jackson was 
anxious to keep right on in pursuit until he reached Cul- 
pepper Court House and our brigade through the darkness 
led the advance, advancing about one mile it was ascer- 
tained by Jackson that McDowell's corps and other troops 
had arrived as reinforcements to Banks. He ordered a halt 
and we went into camp in the Yankee camp grounds. The 
next day the 10th, we took position and remained all day 
waiting for an attack, while others were removing the 
wounded, collecting the small arms from the battlefield, and 
burying the dead. Late that evening we moved somewhat 
to the rear and went into camp. The next morning the 
enemy sent in a flag of truce asking for a cessation of hos- 
tilities until 2 o'clock, that they might bury their dead that 
had not been buried by our men. The request was granted, 
and the time finally extended until 5 o'clock. We remained 
in our position until near night when we returned to our 
old camp near Gordonsville, only to remain a few days be- 
fore starting on that memorable march, which for rapidity, 
boldness and daring, is without a parallel in the war be- 
tween the States. 



96 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 



CHAPTER XXXIII 

AN OLD VETERAN UNDER "STONEWALL" JACKSON 
IN HIS SUMMER CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE 
FEDERAL GENERAL JOHN POPE 
No. 4. 

Dear Friend: 

After the battle of Cedar Run, it was ascertained that 
the enemy was being largely reinforced, and Jackson with- 
drew his corps and went into camp near Gordonsville, 
where he hoped that the Federal General Pope would fol- 
low, and attack him in this position. Jackson could have 
been reinforced by General Lee from Richmond, who was 
watching the movements of McClellan down on the James. 
General Lee was not slow in penetrating the design of the 
enemy for his movements were such as to insure him that 
they had abandoned their design upon Richmond by the 
Peninsular route and was breaking camps and transporting 
their troops around by Alexandria for the purpose of rein- 
forcing Pope at Culpepper Court House. General Lee knew 
what was going on among them, and he accordingly began 
to draw off his forces to reinforce Jackson, in order that 
he might defeat Pope before he could be so heavily rein- 
forced from the army of the Potomac. About the 13th of 
August General Lee arrived with a sufficiency of forces as 
to enable them to attack Pope at once, and he and Jack- 
son formed their plans to advance. On the 16th the troops 
began to move from the vicinity of Gordonsville towards 
the Rapid Ann River. Our advance was to the north of 
the Orange and Alexandria R. R. in the direction of Cul- 
pepper Court House, where Pope's army lay in great force. 
General J. E. B. Stuart having arrived from the Peninsular 
it was planned that he, with his cavalry, should proceed to 
the rear of General Pope, destroy the railroad bridge across 
the Rappahannock, and Longstreet and Jackson were to at- 
tack his left flank. Orders were issued for this movement 
to take place on the 18th, but the necessary preparations 
not being completed by that day its execution was post- 
poned until the 20th. The Federal General, by some means 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 97 

became aware of Lee's designs and hastily retreated across 
the Rappahannock. In the advance our corps crossed the 
Rapid Ann at Summerville ford, and moved toward Brandy 
Station, on the 0. & A. R. R., halting for the night near 
Stephensburg. The day had been hot and sultry, and our 
march had been rapid, and we were tired when night came 
on. We were anxious to halt and rest, but we had to march 
two or three hours after dark, and at last we came to a 
large old field where each regiment was marched out to the 
left its full length, when we were halted, stacked arms, and 
ordered to camp in the rear of our guns, and down we lay 
on the ground. Each brigade was closed en-masse by reg- 
iments and by that means our division occupied a very 
small space. Lawton's brigade of Georgians were close 
by in our rear, and it mattered not how tired a fellow was, 
there was always some soldier ready to start some mischief 
to have fun, and this camp was not an exception to the 
rule, for at a late hour when all was still, and asleep, some 
fellow in the 31st Georgia began to hollow at the top of his 
voice. Wo! Wo! where are you coming? Wo! Stop that 
blind horse. Others began to hollow Wo! Wo! exclaiming, 
head him! head him! Several rose up, asking "What is 
it?" "What is it?" when some one answered it's a blind 
horse loose in camp. Stop him ! Stop him ! The excitement 
became so great among them Georgians until some would 
imagine that a blind horse was really going to step on 
them, and would rise up in such a hurry, often with their 
blankets over their heads hollowing Wo ! Wo ! Some of them 
became so frightened that they knocked down their guns 
where they were stacked, and others at a distance would 
hear the guns rattling, would think that the blind horse 
was stumbling over them. The noise waked me, and I soon 
discovered that it was over among the Georgians, and I lay 
still until all the excitement was over, then the laughing 
began, but they were not all laughing, it was not so funny 
to some of them. Some were cursing and wanted to find 
and know the fellow who started it. I saw Ed Roach the 
next day, and I asked him what was the matter over in 
his camp last night, and he told me all about it, and we 
laughed heartily. It rather makes me smile now when I 
imagine just how it was. Ha! Ha! At early dawn the 
next morning, we were formed in line awaiting orders to 
march, but before marching our brigade was closed 
en-mass by each regiment being formed in close column of 



—7 



98 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

division, and our Brigadier sat on his horse in the midst 
of us, and there addressing us as his "Lads" informed us 
of the hazardous undertaking that lay before us, and what 
he expected of us, and what we might expect of him, and 
the probable results that might follow. We were no longer 
in doubt, and soon orders came to march, and we started 
off in the direction of the Rappahannock. On our approach 
near the river we were greeted by a shell from the enemy 
who occupied a strong position on the opposite side, which 
commanded the position on our side, and we began to move 
up the river as if searching for a crossing that would turn 
the enemy's right. Our artillery and that of the enemy 
would keep up a regular duel across the river, while our 
infantry unobserved kept moving slowly on up. Each posi- 
tion that our corps would take would be occupied by some 
of Longstreet's troops as soon as vacated by us, and we 
would proceed further on up the river. All the while the 
enemy on the other side of the river, would keep pace with 
our movements, and would shell us at every point exposed 
to their view. This kind of movement was kept up until 
the 22nd when it was ascertained that Sigel of the Federal 
army, had thrown a brigade across Hazel River (one of the 
tributaries of the Rappahannock) to support a force of 
cavalry that had been sent over to attack our wagon train. 
This movement was well known to Jackson, and he ordered 
General Ewell to detach one of his brigades to meet this 
force while he moved on up the river with the balance of 
his force seeking a place to cross. Our brigade was ordered 
to halt to meet this movement, and in the afternoon recon- 
noisances were made, and by verbal information their posi- 
tion was fully ascertained, and upon the arrival of General 
Hood with his brigade as a support, our Brigadier ordered 
us to attack, which we did which was so sudden and furi- 
ous, that they fled after the first volley, we pursuing, firing 
and yelling, until they came to a small stream; in they 
plunged, crawling up the bank on the other side to be shot 
in the back and fall backwards in the water. That was fine 
sport for this boy then. 'Twas here that we killed their 
Brigadier General Bolin. Those that lived hastily sought 
protection in Sigel's camp under his guns, and we were not 
molested by their dashes any further. As well as I re- 
member not a man in my company was hurt, but old Com- 
pany "G". surely did hurt the Yanks at this place, as our 
opportunity was so fair. The fight being over we with- 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 99 

drew leaving the position in the hands of General Hood, and 
we proceeded on up the river in a hurry to overtake our 
division which was some distance ahead. During the 23rd 
and 24th there were continual clashes between our batteries 
and those of the enemy across the river. The river was so 
swollen by the heavy rains which prevented our crossing 
at the place first selected, consequently Jackson had to seek 
another crossing. In pursuance of the plan of operations 
agreed upon by Lee and Jackson. Jackson was directed to 
cross above Waterloo, and move around the right of Pope's 
army so as to strike the 0. & A. R. R. in his rear, getting 
in between him and Washington City. This was a move- 
ment attended with great danger, but in that day and time 
there was nothing too daring for "Stonewall" Jackson with 
his foot cavalry to undertake to do, especially when directed 
by the masterful mind of R. E. Lee. Longstreet was to 
divert his attention, by threatening him in front, and follow 
us as soon as we were sufficiently advanced. Our corps 
cutting loose from the balance of army crossed at Hinson's 
Mill 4 miles above Waterloo, passing through the little vil- 
lage called Orleans, camping for the night near Salem after 
a long and fatigueing march. The days were hot and sultry 
but we had divested ourselves of everything that would be 
a hindrance to a rapid movement and with an abiding faith 
in our commander, coupled with an unfaultering belief in 
the justness of our cause, we felt like we were superior to 
anything we had to meet. This was our first day's march 
to get in Pope's rear. 



CHAPTER XXXIV 

AN OLD VETERAN UNDER "STONEWALL" JACKSON 

IN HIS SUMMER CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE 

FEDERAL GENERAL JOHN POPE 

No. 5. 

Dear Friend: 

After a hard day's march on the 25th we reached the 
little village of Salem, about two hours after dark. We 
passed through the streets as quietly as we could, and went 



100 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

into camp on the left of the road, making as little noise as 
possible. We stacked our guns and were ordered to rest 
in the rear and as near to them as possible, with orders to 
be ready to move at a moment's notice. We spread our 
gums and blankets and laid down to rest. I had not been 
resting but a few moments before I heard our Adjutant tell 
our Orderly to detail one man for picket duty, and report 
to Lieutenant Brainard, who was detailed to command. I 
become uneasy at once, fearing that I was the next man 
in order for that kind of duty, and sure enough the Orderly 
called my name. I answered and rose up promptly buckled 
on my cartridge box, folding and throwing my gum across 
my shoulder, and taking my gun from out the stack, I re- 
ported promptly to Lieutenant Brainard. There were ten 
or twelve others beside myself for that duty. In a few 
minutes when all had reported we marched off very quietly 
up a public road conducted by one of Stuart's cavalry offi- 
cers. When we halted he told Lieutenant Brainard that 
that was one of the main roads that led to Washington 
City, and that the enemy's scouts had been seen in that 
direction that evening, and he need not be surprised if he 
were attacked before day, and keep his men wide awake, 
and not be surprised. On hearing that, it had the effect to 
drive away all desire to sleep. I was jumped up, and had 
forgotten all about being tired from the long hot day's 
march, and I was about as watchful as any of the others. 
Two men were put on post at the time, alternating every 
two hours. It came my time from two to four, but before 
I had served out my time, two of our cavalrymen came out 
to us with orders to Lieutenant Brainard to call in his 
Videtts, and go to his command, the cavalrymen took our 
places. We soon reached camp and our command was all 
hustle and bustle, getting in line making preparations to 
move. Our squad was disbanded, and each one of us or- 
dered to report to our respective commands. With the first 
streaks of the dawn of day, orders were received to march, 
Ewell's division leading the corps, and the Louisiana 
Brigade, followed closedly by ours, leading the division. 
After leaving Salem that morning we diverged to the right 
crossing Bull Run Mountain at Thoroughfare Gap. Our 
passage was undisputed and we made rapid progress that 
evening, passing many beautiful homes that had been made 
desolate by the execution of General Pope's infamous orders 
that he issued to his army when he took command at Cul- 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 101 

pepper Court House, the substance of which has already 
been referred to. This day's march completely turned the 
right of Pope's army, and he was so stupefied that he was 
not aware of the fact until the middle of the afteroon, when 
he hastily about faced and after committing several blun- 
ders in the issuance of antagonistic and peremptory orders 
to some of his corps commanders, he began to try to ex- 
tricate himself from his perilous position by a retrograde 
movement toward Washington City. 'Twas late in the af- 
ternoon that we passed through the little village of Gaines- 
ville, where Jackson was met by General Stuart, who had 
by another route made a rapid march with some of his cav- 
alry to overtake us. He guarded Jackson's right flank that 
evening, and with a part of his cavalry guarded our rear 
that night. The day had been warm, and sultry, the roads 
dry and dusty, and the mixing of that dry dust with perspi- 
ration caused a very unfavorable comment on our appear- 
ance by a lady in Maryland a few days after that, which 
I will refer to later on. It seemed as the sun turned, and 
was lowering himself toward the western horizon — our 
pace was quickened, sometimes double quick and sometimes 
in a run to keep up. About sunset we came to a little 
creek ; there was no bridge nor no way to cross in a hurry 
but to wade. Our Brigadier sat on his horse near by and 
in his good kind way spoke words of encouragement, call- 
ing us his "lads" and telling us to hurry, "wade right 
through, my lads," there is an important job for you just 
ahead. We were now nearing Bristoe Station on the 0. & 
A. R. R. We were now clearly in the rear of Pope and on 
his line of communication with his capital. Presently we 
heard the whistle of an approaching train coming from 
Warrenton Junction down where Pope's headquarters had 
been that day. The Louisiana Brigade that had been lead- 
ing that day formed line parallel with the railroad track 
and gave her a broadside as she passed, while that was 
going on we were rapidly approaching but arrived too late 
to fire on the first train. Some of our cavalry had pre- 
ceded the Louisianians and had charged upon the depot, 
capturing nearly all the Yankees that were around the 
place. They also cut the wire which completely severed 
the communication between General Pope and his Capital. 
When my brigade arrived the command, "On the right by 
file into line," was given, and we were ready for the next 
train. Myself, T. M. Renfroe and others tore up a rail 



102 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

on an embankment that was about four feet high, and just 
about the time wet got it torn up we heard another train 
coming from below, regardless of anything, not dreaming 
of what was in waiting for them at the depot. As soon as 
the engine became opposite the right of the Louisianians 
the firing began; the whole brigade gave her a broadside 
in passing. Our regiment was formed on the left of the 
Louisianians and as soon as she got opposite our right we 
peppered her side until she reached the place where the rail 
had been torn up, when the engine leaped headlong from 
the tracks burying the pilot, and front trucks in 
the ground clear up to the head of the boiler. 
The engineer and fireman were killed. Several Yankees 
were on the train wounded. Some few escaped in the dark- 
ness on the other side. Listen! There comes another 
train. See! There is her headlight, don't fire on her, for 
she will be compelled to stop. Sure enough she run with 
full speed into the rear of the train which had just pre- 
ceded her, and such a piling up of freight boxes I had never 
seen before and don't want to see again, but it was fun for 
me then, it was war, and that was what I was so crazy to 
leave home for. The other trains from below took the hint 
and didn't venture, but were destroyed the next day to 
prevent capture. There was a wounded Yankee officer 
brought off the train and laid on a blanket by a fire, and 
he was greatly astonished when he learned that it was 
Jackson's troops on the ground. He wanted to see Jackson 
and in a short time Jackson came walking along and Capt. 
Gates pointed him out. The Yankee expressed surprise at 
his appearance. By the time all this was over it was grow- 
ing late. Manassas Junction with her immense amount of 
supplies was only four miles away, and its capture was 
one of the grand features of the expedition, and our Briga- 
dier volunteered his services for that job. All those that 
are living, that were on that march that day, will never 
forget the closing scenes of that night around Bristoe Sta- 
tion. But what about tomorrow? See next chapter. 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 103 

CHAPTER XXXV 

AN OLD VETERAN UNDER "STONEWALL" JACKSON 

IN HIS SUMMER CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE 

FEDERAL GENERAL, JOHN POPE. 

No. 6. 

Dear Friend : , * +v,^ 

After the capture of Bristoe Station and the wreck of the 
trains, there was a calm, and General Trimble, who had vol- 
unteered to capture Manassas, proceeded up the railroad 
quietly through the darkness to execute the desire of the 
Commanding General, taking only two regiments of his 
brigade, the 21st Georgia and the 21st North Carolina, 
leaving the 15th Alabama at the station with orders to clear 
the track of the wrecked cars. The officer m charge 
de-affairs, on examination reported it to be impossible for 
us to clear the track of the wreckage with the means at 
hand and consequently the project was abandoned, and 
there was nothing for us to do but to either go on to 
Manassas or remain there the balance of the night. I was 
anxious for the latter, for I was almost exhausted, for the 
want of sleep and rest. In a short while we were ordered 
out to the rear a short distance, and break ranks and rest, 
but be ready to move at a moment's notice. We threw 
ourselves upon the ground, and in a few moments we had 
passed into dreamland perfectly unconscious, and mditter- 
ent as to what was going on at Manassas or what might take 
place on tomorrow. It was about 12 at night and a little 
sleep was what I needed. The long day's march of the 25th, 
the loss of sleep at Salem, and the long hot day s march to 
Bristoe Station the next day, coupled with the excitement, 
and fatigue around the station, began to have its effect on 
my power of endurance, but all this was known only to 
myself I was in perfect health, had plenty of rations and 
ammunition, two commodities that no soldier likes to be 
without, especially the latter for by its proper use we could 
get all the rations we wanted. "Uncle Sam" had been very 
liberal in furnishing these commodities of war, but not 
without displaying some displeasure, and would offer re- 



104 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

sistance to such an extent that some of the "Boys in Blue" 
and some in "Grey" would get bit by the same kind of 
snake, and after a spirited controversy, the "Boys in Blue" 
would say, "Take them, your government is poor, ours is 
rich, and we can get plenty more." There was an im- 
mense quantity of these things stored at Manassas that 
General Jackson wanted, and he had sent General Trimble 
to capture them. We rested undisturbed until early dawn 
of the morning of the 27th, when our Orderly came around 
waking us up, saying get into ranks, we have orders to 
move. We formed promptly, and were not long kept wait- 
ing for orders to move. When orders did come we marched 
toward Manassas, and we soon learned that General Trim- 
ble had captured the place and that he wanted us to go to 
his assistance at once to aid him in holding the place, 
should he be attacked by superior numbers which was then 
threatening him from the direction of Washington City. 
We were followed by the 12th Georgia, which had the 
night before been transferred to our brigade. We arrived 
at Manassas about sunrise. General Trimble met us and 
put us in position to resist an attack. It was not long be- 
fore details were made from each company to get bacon 
and crackers, coffee, sugar, rice and everything else in the 
way of rations that a soldier needed, for they were there 
in great abundance. Poor Yanks, we were then feasting 
on what "Uncle Sam" had intended for them, but that was 
one of "Stonewall" Jackson's ways. Each man was sup- 
plied with just as much as he could carry. Marches had 
been so continuous, bacon and crackers so plentiful that 
we had quit cooking, and had broken up the "Mess" plan 
and had paired off in two's and three's. I had formed a 
partnership with Barnett Cody and in supplying myself 
with rations it became necessary that I should have some 
way to carry my turn. I was not long in devising the 
means. I procured a good Yankee knapsack and put a 
25 pound side of bacon in one side, and Barnett seized on 
to another knapsack and put in about 20 pounds crackers, 
besides these we had as much coffee and sugar as we 
wanted. We didn't take any rice or beans, for we had no 
time to cook. The other boys, in fact all that wanted to, 
supplied themselves the same as we did, as there was noth- 
ing short in the quantity, and all had an equal showing. 
There was an immense amount of government stores of 
every description. Long trains were switched off on the 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 105 

side tracks that contained clothing for Pope's army, all of 
which went up in smoke upon our evacuation. General 
Jackson arrived upon the ground shortly after we did, and 
I saw him when he met General Trimble. He extended his 
hand and congratulated him for his success. The sun was 
about one hour high when the Federal General Taylor was 
discovered with his New Jersey Brigade advancing to re- 
capture Manassas. He was just from Washington, and 
had disembarked from the cars just across Bull Run, about 
three miles away. He was perfectly ignorant as to the 
force he was advancing to attack, and came gallantly on 
until in range of the artillery in the forts which had been 
turned and were now manned by our men. They opened 
upon him with such deadly effect and at the same time he 
was attacked by some of our infantry, together with some 
of Stuart's cavalry that they become panic stricken and 
demoralized, and their retreat became a complete rout and 
a great many of them were killed or captured. General 
Taylor himself was mortally wounded, and Jackson said 
of him in his report of this affair, that this advance was 
made with great spirit and determination, and under a 
leader worthy of a better cause. On the arrival of General 
Hill's division they, too, supplied themselves with all they 
could carry. General Ewell with three brigades of our 
division had been left at Bristoe Station to watch and re- 
tard the progress of the enemy who were fast approaching 
in great numbers to ''bag Jackson and the whole crowd," 
for such was one of the boastful orders of General Pope to 
General Kearney. In the afternoon General Hooker of 
Pope's army arrived with his division, and lost no time in 
forming and attacking Ewell's division, but failed to drive 
him from his position. Ewell held him in check, until Jack- 
son could ration all his men, that were present, and load 
all of his available wagons, and appropriate to our use 
everything that we could carry, after all this being done 
preparations were made to destroy the balance. When all 
this was accomplished, Jackson ordered Ewell to withdraw 
with his three brigades and come on to Manassas, which 
he did while under fire, without being pursued. When they 
arrived at Manassas, they helped themselves to everything 
they wanted. We joined the division. Our brigade was 
sent in pursuit of the fleeing New Jersey men as far as 
Centerville, when we were recalled, and camped some- 
where between Manassas and Centerville. The next mom- 



106 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

ing our division struck out for Centerville passing our old 
winter quarters abandoned in March, crossing Bull Run at 
Mitchell's Ford. We halted near Centerville and remained 
there till in the afternoon. I don't know what route the 
other two divisions of Jackson's corps were marching. I 
only remember that when we left this place we took the 
Warrenton Pike re-crossing Bull Run at the Stone Bridge. 
I felt all right then, and was at my best; was good rested 
and had lost my desire for sleep. The sun was lowering 
behind the Western horizon, and our march had become 
so spirited that we were not mistaken in guessing that 
something was going to happen in front, and our presence 
was necessary. Boom went a cannon, followed in quick suc- 
cession by others. What did it mean? It was in our front, 
between us and Longstreet, but where was Longstreet? 
He was left on the Rappahannock on the 25th and was to 
follow us as soon as we had advanced far enough to keep 
out of his way. It was the guns of Longstreet trying to 
force his passage at Thoroughfare Gap. General Ricketts 
of the Federal army had been sent there with his division 
to guard the Gap, but Longstreet outflanked him and came 
on. The fact was that our march had been such and was 
made with such rapidity that we were in a perilous posi- 
tion, but this was only known by the general officers. The 
march had been such as to place Pope's army between us 
and Longstreet, and we were between Pope and Alexandria 
only 20 miles away, where McClellan was landing his 
forces to reinforce Pope. He had already sent him two of 
his corps which augmented Pope's force to about sixty-five 
or seventy thousand men, but "Jackson and his whole 
crowd" were not to be "bagged" by Pope. Jackson's old 
division commanded by Brigadier Taliaferro, unbeknowing 
to me, was in the advance, and had met the enemy's ad- 
vance in the road near a small place called Groveton. Talia- 
ferro left the main pike turning to his right when Jack- 
son, who was watching everything, saw a favorable oppor- 
tunity to attack and proceeded to do so with Talioferro's 
division. It was growing dark and our division was hur- 
ried forward as reinforcements. Our brigade was imme- 
diately deployed and thrown into action, and notwith- 
standing the darkness of the night it was the most san- 
guinary engagement for the length of time my company was 
in during the war. 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 107 

CHAPTER XXXVI 

AN OLD VETERAN UNDER "STONEWALL" JACKSON 

IN HIS SUMMER CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE 

FEDERAL GENERAL, JOHN POPE. 

No. 7. 

Dear Friend: 

The fight that occurred that night was very obstinate by 
the enemy, not lasting more than an hour. The position 
of the left wing of the 15th Alabama was in a thick clump 
of bushes, covering a space not exceeding four acres and 
was very rocky. Our march, in line of battle which was 
preceeded by a line of skirmishers, led through this clump 
of rocky woods until we reached an old dilapidated fence 
that skirted it on the opposite side. Our skirmishers had 
halted at the fence and were firing on the enemy, which 
were only a short distance in front. The space in front 
was clear, but the night was so dark that the "Boys in 
Blue" could not be seen or located only by the flash of their 
guns. The command of their oflficers could be distictly 
heard. Our officers were giving orders pretty loud, and I 
guess the Yankees heard them. They must have heard 
General Trimble for it seemed to me that he could have 
been herd a mile away when he commanded "Forward, 
guide center." I have never heard as loud command before 
nor since. The enemy in our front proved to be the 2nd 
Wisconsin, Gibbon's Brigade, King's Division. I have seen 
somewhere that it was styled the Iron Brigade. Although 
dark, they had our range as well as we had theirs. We 
could locate each other by the flash of our guns. Their po- 
sition was out in the open, ours behind the old fence refer- 
red to. We were not over fifty yards apart, and our casu- 
alties were heavy considering the time engaged, but there 
was no comparison in losses between our command and 
that of the Yankees. During the engagement word came 
from somewhere to cease firing, that we were firing on our 
own men. This order was repeated to our company by 
1st Lieut. C. V. Morris, of our company. I remember dis- 
tinctly telling him that they were not our men for I could 



108 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

see the brass buttons on their coats by the flash of their 
guns, and they were certain to be Yankees to be firing on 
us, and if they were not I had killed some of our best men. 
Lieutenant Morris made a personal examination for himself 
when he became convinced and ordered us load and fire, 
which we did until they ceased firing on us and withdrew. 
The fire from the Yankees was rapid and heavy. They 
literally tore the old rotten fence into fragments; a rail 
was no hindrance to one of their 56 calibre bullets shot from 
an Austrian rifle. Here, in a very short time, my company 
lost five good men killed, to- wit: T. M. Barnes (Mats), 
Jones Hickman, Calvin Kirkland, Lot McMath and Alonzo 
Watson, and several wounded, some severely. There might 
have been others killed, but I don't remember, as I am only 
writing from memory. My position in line at this fence 
was in the immediate rear of Alonzo Watson. We were 
both on our knees, he firing through a crack, and I firing 
over the top of the fence. I stood as high on my knees as 
possible in order to rest my gun on the top rail, my left el- 
bow was at one time resting on his shoulder when all at 
once I heard a "thud" and felt a ja rand poor 'Lonzo began 
to relax and sink, exclaiming in a low tone, "Oh Lordy, I 
am a dead man." These were his last words, life soon be- 
came extinct, but I didn't move but kept loading and firing 
until the fight was over. We moved our position a little 
to the rear and rested for the night. Our dead and wound- 
ed were all moved during the night, the dead buried and the 
wounded carried to the hospital in the rear. I well remem- 
ber the brightness of the sun the next morning as he 
came up from the East, casting his rays of light over wood 
and dale, and over the bivouacs of the contending armies. 
We built small fires and made coffee, and made our break- 
fast off bacon and crackers, for they were plentiful. There 
was no breeze to scatter the smoke, and it went straight up 
through the branches of the small trees. This smoke lo- 
cated our position to the enemy, and presently here come a 
shell crashing through the bushes. I heard it strike the 
bushes, and looking in that direction I saw it coming toward 
us smoking, as if it were about to explode. It had hit the 
ground before it reached the bushes and had partly spent 
it's force and was coming slow, and could easily be seen. 
Others saw it and several yelled "look out," and every one 
of us fell flat to the ground. As it happened every one of 
us fell out of its range, and when it struck the ground it 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 109 

exploded, scattering its fragments in every direction above 
us, and no one was killed, only one man in my company be- 
ing hurt. Mose Maybin, his legs being slightly bruised, 
caused by fragments of rocks that were scattered around 
when the shell exploded, though it did not disable him from 
duty. There were a half-dozen or more cups of coffee sit- 
ting on the little fire, and the shell exploded so near that 
it scattered the coffee in every direction, and we missed that 
for breakfast. It damaged my old musket to such an ex- 
tent that it was unfit for use, a thing that I did not regret, 
for I had been wanting to get rid of it for some time and 
was determined to do so if I could get hold of a good rifle, 
and my captain did not object. On several occasions I had 
felt that I was overmatched by the Yankees in the way of 
arms and ammunition, and I was anxious for a change. 
After the explosion of the shell the fires were all extin- 
guished, and the shelling ceased in that immediate locality, 
but some desultory cannonading and sharp-shooting was 
going on to the left of our position. Before leaving this 
place I obtained permission to go out in front of where we 
had fought the night before, which was but a short dis- 
tance. When I reached the Yankees position I saw the ef- 
fects of our fire upon them. The 2nd Wisconsin was in the 
immediate front of the 15th Alabama and their line of bat- 
tle could be easily traced by the dead and wounded that 
lay upon the ground. They were commanded by Colonel 
O'Connor, who fell mortally wounded in this engagement. 
I felt confident that 1 saw him that night on his horse 
among his men, I shot at him once, but don't know the ef- 
fect. As I have already said, they were armed with Aus- 
trian rfles, carrying a 56 calibre minnie ball, I now availed 
myself of the opportunity sought of changing guns, and 
I picked up the best looking rifle I could find, and supplied 
myself with a bountiful supply of ammunition to suit. When 
I returned to my company. Captain Oates made no objection 
to my gun and was very anxious, and had made repeated 
efforts to have his company armed with rifles. As the sun 
rose to two or three hours high the booming of cannon and 
the cracking of small arms began to increase. Staff of- 
ficers and couriers were dashing around, which was a pret- 
ty sure sign that something was going to happen. We were 
soon formed and moved by the left flank. General Ewell 



110 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

had been seriously wounded the night before and Greneral 
Lawton was commanding the division. He formed the di- 
vision in line of battle on a ridge paralel to an unfinished 
railroad, which ran through that section. The movements 
of the enemy had caused Jackson to change his line some- 
what, and so as to form it on, and paralel of this old un- 
finished railroad which was an admirable position for de- 
fense. In conforming to this new position our brigade was 
hurriedly moved to the left, moving along the line of the old 
railroad. Sometimes we would be protected by being in a 
cut, and at other places we would be shelled and shot at 
with small amis like all fury, until we would pass the ex- 
posed points. In passing these exposed points is what I 
term passing the fiery ordeal, in fact, and at one place I hes- 
itated and stopped in a cut, preferring to wait until the fire 
slackened in front. Sam Gardner, of Co. "I" stopped with 
me, and we remained together until the regiment passed 
and the firing had ceased. We consulted together as to 
which one of us should make the break, for we knew that 
on our first appearance a shower of balls would be sent at 
us. I finally consented to make the break first, and we 
eased along to the starting point unobserved, when I "duck- 
ed," with gun in one hand and hat in the other, I ran the 
gauntlet. It seemed from the volley that a whole company 
might have fired at me, but they missed their mark and I 
was soon under cover. I stopped and looked back at Sam 
and laughed at him and told him to come through ; he hesi- 
tated, and I finally told him that I could not wait any longer 
and hurried on to my command which had halted not far 
away and was formed behind the embankment waiting and 
expecting an attack, as the skirmishers in front were hotly 
engaged and the Yanks reported to be advancing in heavy 
force. About 3 :30 P. M. they assaulted A. P. Hill's Divis- 
ion on the extreme left wing with a heavy force, but was 
repulsed. 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 111 



CHAPTER XXXVII 

AN OLD VETERAN UNDER "STONEWALL" JACKSON 
IN HIS SUMMER CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE 
FEDERAL GENERAL JOHN POPE 
NO. 8. 

Dear Friend : 

The heavy assaults th^.t vcre being made on A. P. Hill's 
Division, who occupied the left of Jackson's Corps were met 
by his troops with great courage and obstinacy, and each 
assault was repulsed with great slaughter. In order that 
the reader may comprehend and understand the positions 
of our troops at this time I will say that A. P. Hill was on 
the left, Ewell in the center and Jackson's old division on 
the right. Now you have our position. The line of battle 
was along an unfinished railroad, each division, of course, 
had its own reserves. It seemed to be the full determina- 
tion of the enemy to crush Jackson before Longstreet could 
arrive, but at this time while all those heavy assaults were 
being made on Jackson, Longstreet's troops that had forc- 
ed their way through Thoroughfare Gap, the evening be- 
fore, were in hearing and coming with quick step to succor 
their overtasked comrades. There were but two brigades 
of Ewell's Division, our's and Lawton's, that were on the 
front line at this time, the other two, Early's Virginians 
and Taylor's Louisianians were in the rear as our reserves, 
to be put in when necessity demanded. The heavy assaults 
made upon A. P. Hill having failed, the enemy doubled his 
forces and attacked our position with great determination 
and vigor. Our skirmishers in front that had been so hotly 
engaged all the P. M. finally yielded to overwhelming num- 
bers and come running in, closely followed by a line of bat- 
tle. They came hurrahing and huzzahing as if they thought 
that would cause a panic among us, and that we would run. 
We were true and tried veterans of Jackson's Corp, and no 
such racket as that could run us away. Our position was 
a good one for defense, and we were determined not to yield 
it unless the officers so ordered. Here came their first line, 
and when in range we give them a volley, they halted and 



112 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

lay down flat upon the ground. On came the second line 
until they reached the first and they halted. The third line 
came hurrahing until they reached the others that had pre- 
ceeded them, and they halted. Our fire was so fast and 
accurate that they could not be made to advance any nearer 
and the fire was so fatal that it caused them to become one 
intermineable mass of humanity, and the efforts of their 
oflficers to get them to advance had no effect and they would 
do nothing but retreat. But they did not lose hope nor 
cease their effort to break our line. They would form with 
fresh troops and advance again and attack with great de- 
termination to break our line, but we were not to be bro- 
ken. With all their hurrahing and great display of bravery 
we were not the boys to be run away from that position. 
Attocks of this character upon Jackson's line continued 'till 
dark, each attack being repulsed with great loss to the ene- 
my, but while these attacks were being made upon Jackson 
late in the P. M., the advance division of Longstreet's 
Corps, commanded by General Hood, arrived on the right 
and rear of Jackson, near Gainsville, where they were met 
by General Stuart, who put them in posession of all the 
facts regarding the positions, and conditions of things gen- 
erally, when Hood with his division followed by others, 
filed to the right to meet a demonstration then being made 
by the enemy on Jackson's right. Hood was not long in 
finding the enemy, and with his accustomed vigor proceeded 
to attack at once. The attack was made by the gallant 
Texans, assisted by troops just as brave from Southern 
States. The attack by these troops was of such spirit and 
determination that the Yankees gave way at every point, 
and darkness put a stop to this conflict for this day, August 
29th. The arrival of Longstreet was being anxiously looked 
for by us, and it did not arrive a whit too soon, for the 
heavy and incessant attacks that h.ad been made on us had 
been so frequent, and with heavy odds against us that I 
could not help but feel a little uneasy for fear he would 
break our line somewhere ; but after each assault the "Rebel 
Yell" could be heard which was animating and was always 
accepted as a signal of victory and tended to restore confi- 
dence. The news of Longstreet's arrival was published 
along the line, and was greeted by the "Rebel Yell," which 
was heard by the defeated Yankees. I don't remember 
that my company lost a single man in this whole day's 
fighting; we were well protected by being behind an old 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 113 

railroad embankment, and there was no part of us exposed 
except our heads, although my memory may be at fault, 
some one might have been wounded or killed, and have es- 
caped my memory, not impossible. Night coming on, the 
battle ceased, we remained in our position, resting on our 
arms during the night amid the dead and wounded of the 
enemy who lay in heaps a few paces in front, the wounded 
most piteously calling for help, but conditions were such 
that none could be rendered by either side. An awful 
night it was, never to be forgotten by me, and I do hope, 
dear reader, that you may never have such an experience 
as I had that night. Americans against Americans. 



CHAPTER XXXVIII 

AN OLD VETERAN UNDER "STONEWALL" JACKSON 
IN HIS SUMMER CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE 

FEDERAL GENERAL JOHN POPE ! 

NO. 9. 

Dear Friend : 

The battle on the 29th of August on the plains of Manas- 
sas was not a decisive one, but was yet to take place. The 
Federal general was quick to boast, and unscrupulous in 
his dispatches ; h^ had already telegraphed General Halleck, 
the commander-in-chief at Washington, that he had won a 
great victory, and was master of the situation, when in fact 
he had not gained a foot of ground, and all his heavy as- 
saults upon our line had been repulsed with heavy loss. 
After each assault and repulse of the enemy they would be 
followed by our skirmishers until they would halt to re- 
form. Our skirmishers would engage their skirmishers 
when they attempted to advance. When the night came on 
the enemy ceased his attacks and went to making prepara- 
tions for a renewal of the battle the next day, the 30th. 
Our skirmishers had followed them so closely that when 
they halted the commands of their officers could be dis- 
tinctly heard and understood, which left no doubt of a cer- 
tainty that they intended to renew the battle at early dawn. 
They had heavy reserves that had not yet been engaged. 



114 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

and it was those troops that they were putting in position 
to assault us at dawn. All these things that were taking 
place in front were made known to our officers and they 
made all preparations that was necessary to be in readiness 
to meet them in the morning. Such as rectifying our line, 
and having us furnished with a bountiful supply of ammu- 
nition. There was not to be anything short about that, 
every man to his place, and when the enemy came he was 
to keep cool, load, take good aim and fire. I considered at 
this time that an inexaustible supply of ammunition was 
one of the first necessities, and rations the second ; for with 
plenty of ammunition and it accurately expended, I could 
get rations, when upon the other hand, without ammunition 
I would have to run and devour what rations I had on a 
retreat. See? I still held on to my Austrian rifle and re- 
plenished my shortage in ammunition out of the cartridge 
boxes of the dead Yankees that used calibre 56. By 11 
o'clock all preparations for the morrow was made, and it 
was comparatively quiet along the main line, but in front 
on the picket line a desultory fire between the pickets was 
kept up all night, firing at the flash of each others guns. 
There was a sentry kept on watch on the embankment of 
the railroad for the purpose of giving the alarm should a 
sudden attack be made on our skirmishers in front, but 
none occurred. When we received orders to rest, we spread 
our "gums" or blanket on the ground and laid down, and 
there in silence I remember to have breathed a silent 
prayer, rendering thanks to God for his protecting care 
over me during the day just closed, and asking a continu- 
ance of same tomorrow. I was tired and weary and it was 
some time before I could go to sleep. I was disturbed by 
the cries of the wounded "Boys in Blue" who lay just over 
the embankment in front. As I lay "ruminating" over 
their condition I could not help but have sympathy for 
them in their unfortunate condition, I drew, in my imagi- 
nation a picture of my self in their condition, far from 
home, no one but an enemy to look to for help. They had 
obeyed the commands of their oflFcers, and had fought us 
bravely and had met their fate like men, just as we would 
have done had we been in their places. As the morning of 
the 30th broke we were quietly aroused from our slumber 
and got under arms. Some of the boys made small fires 
and went to making coffee, and our breakfast was of bacon, 
crackers and coffee. As the light from the East lifted her 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 115 

mantle over the field it was discovered that the skirmishers 
were from one to two hundred yards apart, and the firing 
began in earnest. The cannonading along the whole line 
commenced, which betokened the approaching contest. Our 
whole corps maintained its line of the previous day, and 
Longstreet, also far to the right held his position of the 
evening before. Another one of Longstreet's Divisions ar- 
rived that morning and was held in reserve. About 8 
o'clock A. M. our orderly was called on for a detail of one 
man to go to the front and relieve the skirmishers who 
had been out since the evening before. It was not my 
time to go on skirmish, but being armed with a rifle, and 
the orderly knowing that I preferred that kind of fighting 
to any other, did not hesitate to detail me, and I did not 
hesitate to go. There were similar details made from each 
company, and we were deployed in front of the railroad 
embankment, and advanced to the positions of our skirm- 
ishers. They were hotly engaged and it was a dangerous 
undertaking to reach them and equally as dangerous for 
our skirmishers to withdraw. On our arrival at the proper 
place, I took position behind a tree and began to put in 
some good shots with my Austrian. It would pop like a 
small cannon and was a subject of remark by my captain 
which I will refer to later on. The "Boys in Blue" lay flat 
upon the ground content with holding their position and 
keeping us employed. For a good part of the day the 
action was fought with artillery. Our artillery was admir- 
ably posted in our rear, and having obtained an accurate 
range of their heavy masses of infantry, their fire was the 
most destructive of any previous engagement during the 
war. An advance of their infantry was momentarily ex- 
pected, for they were in plain view in our front, and their 
movements could be seen which had every appearance that 
an advance was soon to be made in heavy force. The 
Federal General Pope had at last succeeded, after many 
blunders, to organize his forces by putting Heintzleman's 
Corps on his extreme right, and McDowell's on the left, 
while the corps of Porter and Sigel with Reno's Division 
was to occupy the center. About 3 P. M. he had complet- 
ed his formation and a general advance was sounded. Boys ! 
look out, they are now coming! The bugler in our front 
sounded, first, attention, then the advance, which they did 
in rapid style. Their position was in an open field, our's in 
the woods and behind trees, and I tell you, reader, when 



116 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

they came within easy range we dotted the ground with 
them, but others were sent to fill their places, until their 
skirmish line became to be a solid line of battle closely fol- 
lowed at a run by other lines. No amount of killing and 
wounding we could do would check them. The grand and 
desperate assault was on, and they seemed determined. 
We had to retreat; they didn't give us time to fire in re- 
treat, but come on rapidly, firing volleys into the woods 
and huzzahing all the time. But stop! Somebody is not 
far away and is hearing all this, waiting and ready to give 
them a warm reception. When I reached the embankment 
I just naturally fell over among our men and about faced. 
"Look out boys, they are coming, lots of 'em." The boys 
were ready, but by some cause unknown to me they failed 
to attack all the front of the 15th Alabama, but seemed to 
have divided, a part obliqueing to the left and a part to the 
right. That which went to the left could not be seen, but 
on the right they were in an old field in plain view, and 
the whole of the 15th Alabama got in some deadly work at 
a right oblipue. They just simply jammed up against the 
embankment, opposite the right of the 15th Alabama and 
one of the Louisiana regiments. They were so thick that 
it was impossible to miss them. Cicero Kirkland, of my 
company, who is living today, in his enthusiasm and reck- 
less bravery, mounted on top of our breast-work and poured 
buck and ball into them as fast as some of the boys could 
load and hand him a musket. I expected to see him shot 
down every second. The Louisianians ceased firing and 
threw cobble stones over the embankment at them. I saw 
them going over lighting upon the heads of the Yankees 
just as thick as I ever saw corn go into a pen at an old time 
"corn shucking." It was more like that than anything 
that I can compare it to. Doubtless you may not know 
what an old time "corn shucking" is as the Southern farm- 
ers have long since abandoned the practice. Ask an old 
time darky, he will tell you all about one. But to return, 
they advanced and attacked our line in closed column of 
division, (an old soldier knows how thick that made them) 
and they were in plain view of Colonel, now General, S. D. 
Lee, who at that time was in command of about twenty- 
four pieces of artillery which was posted on a cannonad- 
ing hill in our rear, where he could play upon them from 
start to finish, or until they would get near enough for the 
small arms, and it would be dangerous to fire over our 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 117 

heads. What a slaughter! what a slaughter of men that 
was. At first bomb-shells, sharpnel shells, then grape- 
shot, and as they came nearer canister was poured at them 
which mowed them down, but still those that lived would 
close the ranks and press forward. I don't remember just 
how many stands of Stars and Stripes I saw in this mass 
of troops. They would go down often to be raised again 
by some one else. The pressure was so heavy that I saw 
the 13th Virginia coming in a run to reinforce this part 
of the line. When they reached the embankment they 
never halted, but crossed over right in the midst of the 
"Boys in Blue." This was a sublime spectacle to gave upon. 
The Virginians and New Yorkers engaged in a deadly 
strife contending for the mastery of the situation. I saw 
Virginia's colors dip several times at the Stars and Stripes. 
I could plainly see the motto of Virginia, Sic Semper Ty- 
rannis that was inscribed upon their flag, and no one knows 
but myself the feeling it created in me, to see these colors 
so close together dipping at each other, and the men falling 
around them. The Virginians were assisted by Louisian- 
ians and Alabamians, and it was not long before a general 
stampede among the Yankees took place, and some few that 
lived escaped, but the slaughter among them had been great. 
This attack was made by some of the best troops in Pope's 
army. Porter's Corps. While these attacks were being 
made on Jackson, Longstreet's troops on the right were 
crowding them upon their center, and upon the general 
giving away of the enemy in front, Jackson ordered his 
whole line forward, driving the enemy before us. Long- 
street about this time, anticipating an order from Gen. Lee 
for a general advance, threw forward his whole command 
against the Federal left and center, and swept grandly on, 
putting the enemy to rout from each stand made by them, 
causing another stampede in their efforts to cross Bull Run 
at the memorable Stone Bridge. Longstreet's forces en- 
gaged the enemy on a part of the old battle-field of 1st 
Manassas. Our advance was slow and cautious. We con- 
tiuned the advance about one mile, meeting with no resist- 
ance. It was dark, the pitiful cries for help from the 
wounded "Boys in Blue" far to the right could be heard, 
but there was no time nor opportunity to render assistance. 
We were halted, stacked arms and lay down in the rear of 
them to rest for the night, August the 30th, the balance I 
will tell in the next chapter. 



118 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 



CHAPTER XXXIX 

AN OLD VETERAN UNDER "STONEWALL" JACKSON 
IN HIS SUMMER CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE 
FEDERAL GENERAL JOHN POPE 
NO. 10. 

Dear Friend : 

In reflecting over the latter clause of the last chapter, my 
mind wandered back to the scenes of this particular time 
and place, and there are a few things that I remember that 
came under my observation that I wish to tell before I pass 
from the events of the 30th, to that of the 31st, and I will 
begin by saying that the last attack that the enemy made 
upon our position was with such numbers and with such 
a determination to crush us, that the pressure become so 
great as to cause Jackson to ask Longstreet for reinforce- 
ments, but Longstreet in speaking of this affair afterwards 
said, "That from an eminence near by the masses that were 
attacking Jackson were in plain view and within easy range 
of batteries in that position and that it gave him an ad- 
vantage that he did not expect, and he made haste to use it 
by ordering up several batteries and began to enfilade their 
line, which proved to be so destructive that it was evident 
that the attack upon Jackson could not be continued ten 
minutes longer, and he made no movements with his troops 
toward reinforcing Jackson," This may not be verhatim 
et literatim., but is the substance of his report of this affair. 
The "Boys in Blue" had made heroic efforts to crush us and 
break our line, by increasing their strength to five, yea 
ten to one, but we "Boys in Gray" were fully determined in 
the defense of our position, it mattered not what numbers 
were brought against us. The boys in blue could not stand 
the resistance they met in the front from the small arms 
and the enfilade fire from the artillery into their left 
flank, throwing grape-shot, cannister-shot, solid shot and 
bursting bomb-shells of every description, dealing death 
at every step, producing scenes of carnage that was hor- 
rible to behold. This was the last attack made on our line 
on the evening of the 30th, and as I said in the last chapter, 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 119 

a general stampede followed and a few of the living es- 
caped. I mean to say, that this was the conditions of 
things in our immediate front, for it looked to me from the 
heaps of dead and wounded that lay on the ground that 
there were but few that escaped. After this repulse the 
small arms in our front ceased, but our artillery in the 
rear played upon the retreating fugitives with deadly ef- 
fect until they went entirely out of sight and range, when 
their artillery began to reply, though feebly. In a few 
minutes after this repulse we heard a great yelling on our 
left down among the troops of A. P. Hill's Division. All 
eyes were turned in that direction and was anxious to 
know the cause. The yelling came nearer and nearer until 
it struck the left of our division, and at last around the 
curve of the old R. R, a man on a horse was seen coming 
in a slow gallop, with head bare and a cap in his hand in 
acknowledgement of the cheers that were being given, and 
as he approched some one recognized him and shouted 
that's "Stonewall" Jackson and we went wild with en- 
thusiasm, throwing our hats in the air and giving the 
"Rebel Yell" at the top of our voices. He came on top the 
railroad embankment mounted on "Old Sorrel" in a slow 
gallop, followed by one courier. He was dressed in an 
old dusty, dingy, faded gray uniform with the legs of his 
pants stuffed in the legs of a coarse pair of boots. Three 
faded stars and a wreath that he wore upon the collar of 
his coat was the only mark that distinguished his great- 
ness. He did not go far before he halted, and with raised 
cap in hand, he hollowed out at the top of his voice "At- 
tention." All was ready in a moment, when he in a sharp 
shrill voice commanded "forward," and at the word we 
dashed over the embankment and moved on slowly and cau- 
tiously. Our advance lay through a piece of woods about 
one hundred yards wide, when we came to a large open 
field. The firing on the right over on the Warrenton Turn- 
pike was of the heaviest character. This was Longstreet's 
forces driving the left wing of the enemy on to his center. 
They swept the enemy before them from each successive 
position. It was the most sublime and thrilling scene that 
my eye had ever beheld. As far to the right as the eye 
could range the Southern Cross could be seen fluttering in 
the breeze and the bayonets glittering in the sun when they 
would emerge from a scope of woods into an open field. 
We could hear the "Rebel Yell'' which was evidence that the 



120 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

"Boys in Blue" was on the run, and the "Boys in Gray" 
were in hot pursuit. When Longstreet's troops were giv- 
ing the finishing strokes on the right our corps in solid 
line were slowly advancing, the front well covered by skirm- 
ishers, for the purpose of attacking them in flank should 
they attempt to cross Bull Run at Sudley Ford. They had 
become so demoralized that they had lost their organization 
and had but one object in view, that was to cross Bull Run 
before Jackson could overtake them. There was nothing 
in our front, but as I have said before, away to the right 
the battle was raging with great fury. Long streaks of 
smoke was curling over the tree tops, wafting away on the 
evening breeze and as the sun was setting the last stand 
made by the enemy near the "Henry House" (of the 1st 
battle of Manassas fame) was broken and the Yankees fled 
precipitately leaving their dead and wounded on the field. 
Our whole front was the brillant spectacle of a victorious 
army in pursuit of what might be correctly termed a de- 
moralized and panic sticken rabble, but the darkness of 
the night put an end to the pursuit and by 10 o'clock quiet 
prevailed all along the line, except now and then a shot 
from a scout could be heard. On several occasions during 
this day, (the 30th) there were scenes of close encounter, 
and a more murderous strife never before occurred on 
American soil. Taking it all in all, this was a grand day 
for the Confederates. The timely arrival of Longstreet's 
forces on the right, relieved us from the pressure of over- 
whelming numbers, and give us a chance of a more equal 
contest. The firing having ceased and the advance halted, 
and as I said in the preceding chapter we stacked our 
arms and rested in rear of them that night. I was greatly 
fatigued and slept soundly, with nothing to disturb me ex- 
cept groans of wounded "Boys in Blue" that lay about on 
the ground. The doctors and litter bearers were busy all 
night doing what they could for suffering humanity. When 
we awoke the next morning the 31st, it was ascertained 
that the enemy had retreated to Centerville, where he was 
met by the army corps of Sumner and Franklin, said to 
number nineteen thousand fresh from the army of the Po- 
tomac. General Stuart kept General Lee so accurately in- 
formed as to the movements, positions and conditions of 
the enemy that General Lee made no mistake. Centerville 
is a small village about 20 miles from Washington City, 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 121 

and was well fortified, and it was in these fortifications 
that Pope with his shattered and demoralized army took 
refuge, and halted long enough to issue a scanty supply of 
rations and ammunition to his men and began to reorgan- 
ize to resist our advance. General Lee was in full posses- 
sion of Pope's position and condition, that on the morning 
of the 31st he ordered Jackson to turn his position by cross- 
ing Bull Run at Sudley Ford. Before we started on this 
march, I with others from the regiment, were detailed for 
fatigue duty, and was ordered to report to some officer, I 
don't rememlDer who now, and he took us back to our battle 
ground of the evening before. There we stacked our guns, 
and each man was furnished with a spade and we were 
ordered to bury the dead Yankees. I had never buried 
any one, and didn't know how, but I soon learned. I did 
as I saw others doing, that was to press their stiffened 
limbs together, getting them as straight as possible, then 
rolling them in a blanket and laying them as near due East 
and West as I possibly could, then spade out a hole about 
20 inches deep their full length, then turn him in on his 
back and throw the earth on him. If he had no blanket, 
nor nothing else that I could wrap him in, I would put his 
cap or hat over his face to keep the dirt out. That was a 
terrible job for me. The weather was so warm, and some 
of them had been there two days, that it was with some 
difficulty that some of them could be handled at all, and I 
tell you, my dear reader, I could hardly endure it, but I 
had to. Orders them days, were orders and had to be 
obeyed. I guess there were a hundred or more engaged in 
that kind of work, while there were others engaged in re- 
moving the wounded. It did not take long to bury one, as 
the ground was soft and mellow, and was easy to spade. 
I suppose I buried as many as fifteen during the time I 
was there. That was a job that I was tired and sick of, 
and was glad when about the middle of the P. M. we re- 
ceived orders to go to our command, and we left a great 
many unburied. All our wounded had been carried to hos- 
pitals and our dead buried. Our command had moved, and 
we were late finding them. They had crossed Bull Run at 
Sudley Ford, and had taken a country road that led into 
the little river turnpike that leads in the direction of Fair- 
fax Court House. When I reached my company. Captain 
Oates called me to him, and there told me for my gallantry 
and deportment in the skirmish and battle of yesterday he 



122 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

would promote me to be his 4th Corporal. This compli- 
ment was very unexpected, as I was not aware of the fact 
that I had done anything to merit it, and ventured to ask at 
what particular time, he remarked, "I was watching you 
on the skirmish and could distictly hear the rapid report 
of your Austrian rifle, and knew you were getting in some 
good work on the Yankees." I thanked him for the compli- 
ment and felt proud that my conduct had been such in all 
these hard engagements as to meet the approval of my 
commanding officer. Up to that time I had never thought 
of or sought promotion to any office; I was content to be a 
private, and as such do my whole duty to my coutnry. By 
this promotion my position in the ranks was changed. I 
now had to leave my old place and march at the foot of 
my company. I was then the "Little Corporal" of the 
Henry Pioneers. We did no fighting on the 31st and rest- 
ed quietly during the night. 



CHAPTER XL 

AN OLD VETERAN UNDER "STONEWALL" JACKSON 

IN HIS SUMMER CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE 

FEDERAL GENERAL JOHN POPE 

NO. 11. 

Dear Friend : 

Our rest on the night of the 31st was one of quietude, all 
"calm and serene." We were away from the battlefield, 
out of hearing Cf the groans of the wounded, and being 
jaded, tired and weary, a good night's rest at this particular 
time was a great blessing, and I felt greatly refreshed when 
I rose the next morning and answered to roll call. As well 
as I remember my company was about sixty strong when 
we entered upon this campaign about the 20th, and this 
roll call revealed the fact that from various causes such as 
death, disabled from wounds and absent sick, we had about 
twenty-five or thirty to answer. The boys that were there 
present that morning had passed through three bloody days 
of turmoil and strife on the plains of Manassas, and there 
stood as living monuments of God's unbounded mercy, 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 123 

ready, at the command of Lee and Jackson to make another 
battlefield as horrible as any of the others of the last four 
days. The officers high in authority didn't seem to be in 
any great hurry, and we were given plenty of time to make 
coffee and eat breakfast. We had been no trouble to our 
commissary since the morning of the 27th, as our supply 
that we had provided ourselves with over at Manassas had 
not been exhausted, and besides that, we had had access to 
the well-filled haversacks of the dead boys in blue, so that 
there was nothing short in the ration department at that 
time. As the sun began to rise over the tree tops and pour 
his warm rays over the fields, the occasional boom of a 
cannon, and the familiar sound of the pickets rifle could be 
heard far to the right in the direction of Centerville. After 
a lapse of time we fell into line and began to march along 
the Little River turnpike that led in the direction of Fair- 
fax Court House, a little town between Centerville and 
Washington City. Our march was slow, with frequent 
stops, lasting sometimes as long as an hour, as if to give 
time to our generals to locate the true positions of the ene- 
my. We moved on in this way until we had fairly turned 
Pope's position at Centerville, and was just about to get in 
his rear again when he took the alarm and began to move 
his troops to prevent it. Our march was so slow that it 
was late in the P. M. of the 1st of September that we reach- 
ed Ox Hill, better known to the lt5h Alabama as 
Chantilly. The place was nothing more than where 
the road from Centerville intersected the Little Riv- 
er turnpike, where we had picketed during the win- 
ter of '61, and early winter of '62. On reaching 
this place we were halted in the road and were 
commanded to front," facing to our right in the direction 
of Centerville, when all at once the skirmishers that had 
been marching on a paralel with us all day was attacked. 
A. P. Hill's Division was in our rear, and when the firing 
commenced, he ordered three of his brigades forward to 
support the pickets. Our brigade, bein.o: the rear brigade 
of Swell's Division, which preceeded Hill that day, was 
ordered forward also. We had not gone far before we 
met our skirmishers in retreat, closely pursued by the 
Yankees. In a short while the firing on the right by Hill's 
troops became extremely heavy for the numbers engaged. 
We were in a thick body of woods, so thick that we could 
only see a few yards in front, but the hissing bullets from 



124 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

the enemy as they came rapping the bushes and trees, and 
occasionally hitting a man, was evidence to us that they were 
not far away. We halted and delivered several rounds in 
that direction. During this engagement, a cold and drench- 
ing thunder shower swept over the field, striking us square- 
ly in the face. The noise of the falling rain to some ex- 
tent drowned the noise of battle. The commands of our 
oflScers could not be heard in some time, but notwithstand- 
ing the heavy down-pour of rain, we kept on firing until 
dark put an end to the conflict. The enemy ceased firing 
and we did the same. We were ordered to about face, and 
retire, which we did, going nearly back to the turnpike and 
camping for the night. I will here relate a strange inci- 
dent that occurred while we were falling back from our 
advanced position to where we halted and went into camp. 
From the circumstance, it seemed that sometime during the 
evening, the enemy had been in possession of that part of 
the woods that we had advanced in, and in maneuvering 
around, one of them had dropped his watch, and in our 
falling back Daniel McLellan of my company hitched his 
foot in the chain and picked it up. It was a fine gold 
watch and chain and he sold it to Lieut. H. C. Brainard of 
our company for the sum of $130 in C. S. A. currency. 
Lieutenant Brainard afterwards sent it home as a present 
to his sister Laura, who after the war married Capt H. C. 
Reynolds. They are now both deceased, but have living 
children with us today, one of which is the owner of this 
same watch. Strange, but true. This battle was of no 
decisive result, to either side. The fact is that General 
Pope was so badly beaten that he was anxious to gain a 
little victory, however small, in order to cover his false dis- 
patches that he had been sending to Washington from the 
field, and in order to do so he ordered his fighting "Joe 
Hooker," McDowell, Reno and Kearney's Divisions of 
Heintzleman's Corps to attack us, which they did, resulting 
to them the loss of two of their generals, Kearney and 
Stephens, the former a West Pointer and having the repu- 
tation of being one of their best division commanders. The 
attack that he made upon us at this time was with the hope 
that he might gain a little victory and thereby have some- 
thing to support his ludicrous claim of having the victory, 
for such a claim had been made by him, after he had been 
driven from off the Rappahannock, on an on over the plains 
of Manassas, and with his demoralized army had sheltered 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 125 

himself behind the entrenchments at Centerville. The at- 
tack developed our position, and he realizeu at once his po- 
sition and condition, and he telegraphed General Halleck 
at Washington that he thought it best under the circum- 
stances that his army should withdraw to the entrench- 
ment around Washington, and set to work to re-orgamze 
and re-arrange it, and that by doing so some disaster might 
be avoided, for he had no idea of the demoralization that ex- 
isted among officers of high rank in the Army of the Po- 
tomac arising form a personal feeling m relation to the 
change of commanders. The fact was he had sustained a 
most disastrous defeat, and was seeking an opportunity of 
Sying the blame on one of his subalterns, which he suc- 
ceeded in doing, resulting in the cashiering of one of the 
best corps commanders there was in the Army of the Po- 
tomac retiring him from service, but after a lapse of twelv^ 
or fifteen years after the war ended the case was re-opened 
by Congress, and upon an unprejudiced examination of the 
court marshal proceedings he was restored to full rank. 
In accordance with General Pope's wishes. General Hal- 
l^k Tssued orders for his retirement to the fortifications 
i^front of Washington, and Pope on the 2nd of September 
issued orders directing the routes to be taken by each corps. 
We remained in position all day the 2nd, expecting an at- 
tack but none occured. When night came on I was de- 
Siled to go on picket. Mose Maybin was detailed as Ser- 
jeant and was put in command of the squad. I was Cor- 
S of thi guard which was my first duty as such. We 
^?oce^ed down the Little River turnpike about one mile 
L thrdircetion of Germantown, a little village not very 
far away We were conducted by an officer on a horse, 
and arriving at a house we halted, and the officer instruct- 
ed that two men should be put on post at a time, alter- 
nating evliy two hours. At a late hour I with two other 
men were on post, when we heard some horsemen coming 
Som towards V'enemy, one was whistling. We let him 
come as near as our orders would allow, when I ordered 
Mm to halt He laughed and said he had been expecting 
tX halted for some time, and that we could lie down and 
skep for there was no danger, the Yankees had retreated 
and Were then safe within their entrenchments around 
WashinSon City. He lit from his horse and told us of his 
narrow escape that evening. He said "Boys, I got into a 
hornefs nest before I knew it, and I tell you I had to put 



126 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

spurs to escape." He was jolly and jovial, full of fun, 
and cracked several jokes, and at last complimented us on 
our victory, when he bid us good night and left us, to find 
General Lee and Jackson. This was no other than J. E. B. 
Stuart, our cavalry commander, we knew him at first and 
felt no danger of a surprise. There were no disturbance 
that night, there was not even the sound of a gun to be 
heard. What a change! But there was another venture 
lying before us, many more battles were yet to be fought. 
We had won the crowning victory in Virginia, the gates of 
Richm.ond had been freed from Federal soldiers and pushed 
back to the entrenchments of their own capital. Our adven- 
tures had been so daring and our achievements so great that 
the Yankees thought there was nothing too hazardous for 
troops of Jackson. I fell out with General Pope when I 
read his first order that he issued to his army when he 
took command down in Culpepper County, and if you have 
been a close reader of my letters on this campaign, you 
would have observed that I have been after General Pope 
all the time, and now, gentle reader, I have followed him 
under "Stonewall" Jackson to his stronghold in front of 
his capital, there I leave him, as a defeated braggart, chaf- 
fing under disappointment. On his arrival he relinguished 
the command of the army and little Mc was restored and 
begun at once to re-organize it, which he did and soon had 
it up to a high state of proficiency. The reports and or- 
ders of the prominent officers of both sides relative to this 
campaign have already been written, and is interesting 
reading matter for an old veteran that was there. I will 
not give any figures in regard to the losses, as they are 
matters of history which you can find if you so desire. 
Well, on the morning of the 3rd, it was ascertained that all 
the Yankees had gone, and we were ordered off picket to 
join our command, and soon we were on the road that led 
to Dranesville and Leesburg, camping on the night of the 
4th near the big spring between Leesburg and the Potomac, 
which was nearby. Now, kind reader, this chapter closes 
my account of "Stonewall" Jackson's campaign against the 
Federal General John Pope in the summer of 1862. I have 
made many errors, I have not told half of what I do remem- 
ber of this campaign, for it was one of the most brilliant 
and frought with more dangers than any that had occured 
up to this time. There were many acts of bravery by our 
officers, and some of the boys that I would like to mention, 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 127 

but fearing- it might be too invidious, I have refrained. I 
pass from this now, and will endeavor to give my recollec- 
tions of "Stonewall" Jackson's campaign in the State of 
Maryland. 



CHAPTER XLI 

AN OLD VETERAN'S RECOLLECTIONS OF "STONE- 
WALL" JACKSON'S CAMPAIGN IN THE STATE 
OF MARYLAND, 1862, NO. 1. 

Dear Friend : 

It had been the talk for a good long time that, if General 
Lee would march his army into the State of Maryland, 
that the strength of his army would be increased several 
thousand, and after we had done enough for General Pope 
in Virginia, it seemed that the accepted time had come for 
Lee to march his army into Maryland. As I said in the 
last chapter that our division camped on the night of the 
4th of September near the big spring between Leesburg 
and the Potomac, which was nearby. Some time during 
the next day (the 5th) we fell into ranks and marched to 
the banks of the Potomac, which was but a short distance, 
where there was a ford, and there we were told that we 
had to cross by wading. What! wade the Potomac river? 
^ Yes, wade the Potomac river. How strange ! Had any one 
told me in my school days that the Potomac river could be 
waded, I would have been ready to have disputed it, for 
our fiery Southern orators very often in their speeches re- 
ferred to the Potomac and the Rio Grande, and I was led 
to believe that the former was some large stream that di- 
vided the North and South, and the latter was another large 
stream that divided the South from the West. So you can 
see that I knew but little about the geography of our coun- 
try. I only knew that there was two rivers somewhere by 
that name at that time, but as I have grown older I have 
learned where they are, and that at certain seasons of the 
year either of them can be waded. Now then here we are, 
at the water's edge, ready to cross. What next! We halt! 
We see the Virginians who are leading the division cross- 
ing. We receive orders to strip ourselves of our lower 



128 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

garments, roll them up along with our ammunition and hold 
them up out of the water and go in, and thus we went in. 
The water did not part for us on either side to enable us 
to cross on dry land, but we hit it up to our waist and we 
had to be careful to keep from falling down, and I have no 
doubt but some did, but I don't remember any one falling 
and getting ducked. Our division, which was E well's, but 
at that time commanded by Brigadier General Lawton of 
Georgia, was in the advance and the Virginia Brigade pre- 
ceeded ours (Trimble's.) As I have already said, the Vir- 
ginians were the first to cross, and I have learned since 
that it was done for effect, as Virginia and Maryland joins, 
it was as a voice from Virginia speaking to her sister State, 
saying, here we are, we have come at last to assist you in 
throwing off the yoke of tyranny that have held you down 
since the riot in Baltimore in 1861. We have come that 
you may be allowed free speech and enjoy the liberties of 
other American citizens. Did they come? The sequel will 
show. When our regiment reached the other side of the 
river, there on its banks was stationed a band playing, 
"Maryland, My Maryland," and as soon as we could dress 
we gave a yell and proceeded on our way we knew not 
where. Nobody seemed to be in a hurry and the march 
was at leisure. Everything passed off pleasantly all the 
evening, and when night came we went into camp. There 
was no excitement, no disturbance of any kind, and we rest- 
ed quite well during the night. The next morning we fell 
into line and pursued our journey, until we arrived at a 
little town called Frederick City, which is situated on the 
right bank of the Monocacy River, where also the Baltimore 
& Ohio R. R. crosses. On our march from the Potomac 
to this little town, we saw but very few men. At some of 
the houses we were greeted with cheers and smiles, and 
the waving of hats and handkerchiefs by the women, girls 
and boys, which was a token of our welcome, but at others 
the doors would be closed which was a token that we were 
an unwelcome guest, and we generally knew that they were 
"Yank" inclined. The apple trees in the orchads along our 
route fairly groaned under the weight of ripe apples, and 
under some of the trees the ground would be half covered, 
so we could get the best from off the ground. The people 
did not object to us getting just as many from off the 
ground as we wanted, and we were not prohibited by our 
officers, although an indiscriminate straggle to get apples 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 129 

was prohibited. In a short time, two or three men could 
get enough to supply his company. They were a great 
luxury. We arrived at Frederick City on the 7th and went 
into camp on the east side, or the Washington side, of 
the river opposite the town. Our camp was near the rail- 
road and wagon bridges that spanned the Monocacy at this 
place. I don't suppose we were more than twenty miles 
from Washington City, where a mighty army was being 
organized to take the field under their old leader, G. B. Mc- 
Clellan. At the same time General Lee was concentrating 
his forces to resist an advance of the Federals until certain 
things in other quarters could be done. We privates did 
not know anything, and was only there to answer and obey 
all orders from Lee and Jackson. We didn't see much of 
Lee and Jackson while in this camp, but couriers and staff 
officers were constantly on the go. Stuart, with his cavalry 
was between us and Washington, watching every move of 
the enemy, and keeping Lee posted. Next. 



CHAPTER XLII 

AN OLD VETERAN'S RECOLLECTIONS OF "STONE- 
WALL" JACKSON'S CAMPAIGN IN THE STATE 
OF MARYLAND, 1862, NO. 2. 

Dear Friend : 

While in camp at Frederick City, the weather was as 
pleasant as could be desired. The sun shone out beauti- 
fully in the day-time, sending forth his rays of warmth 
just right to make us feel good. The nights were dark, 
except for the light of the stars, which shone with all their 
brilliance and glory from a clear blue star-lit September 
sky. The nights were a little cool, but with a gum-cloth 
and blanket spread upon the ground and two bunking to- 
gether covering with a blanket and gum on top to keep off 
the cold dew, made it comfortable enough. Those of us 
that had no guard duty to perform, strolled around camp, 
waiting and wondering what would turn up next. The line 
officers knew that something was brewing, but could not 
surmise as to a certainty. As for me, I only wondered, and 
give myself no concern as to what would be next. One night 



130 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

while here, after I had ate my supper, which consisted of 
fried bacon, biscuit, hard-tack and coffee, and answered to 
roll call, I lit my pipe and sauntered off to the camp of the 
31st Georgia, which was not far away, to see my old friend, 
Ed Roach. I soon found him sitting around his camp fire, 
eating his grub, which consisted of fried bacon, biscuit, 
hard-tack and coffee. I had just partook of the same va- 
riety and refused to eat with him. I sat down, leaning 
against a tree and continued to smoke my pipe until Ed 
and his mess-mate was through with their supper and 
cleaning up the dishes, etc. After he got through he lit 
his pipe and we went on a stroll. Some two or three hun- 
dred yards out of camp we came to an old uncultivated 
field where we sprawled down upon the ground to smoke, 
rest and talk. We soon began to relate to each other the 
incidents of the hard marches, and battles that we had 
passed through over in Virginia since last we met. We 
talked of our acquaintances in each others commands and 
those of other commands; some of them our school-mates 
that was fast dropping out. We talked of our people at 
home, not excusing the girls that we had told good-bye. 
God bless them, there are but few of them living now. Oc- 
casionally I can see one, her once ruddy cheeks are fur- 
rowed by wrinkles of time, and her once beautiful hair is 
now silvered and gray, and like myself began to show age, 
which suggests a thought. A few more years and then. 
After staying out as long as we wanted to, we returned to 
camp, to find that some of the boys had "turned in," while 
there were others sitting up, some singing, some smoking, 
some telling war stories, while there were others listen- 
ing and laughing, and having fun generally. My bed-fel- 
low, Barnett Cody, had retired and I crawled under the 
blanket and gum with him and was soon in dreamland. 
Our engineers in the day time were busy drilling holes in 
the rock piers that supported the railroad bridge, prepara- 
tory for its destruction, and occasionally during the day we 
could hear sounds like cannon when they would touch off 
their charge of powder. We did not know and cared less 
about what the enemy was doing. We only knew we were 
near Washington City, where Pope's demoralized army had 
fled, and it was reasonable to suppose that hasty prepara- 
tions were in progress for its re-organization, and sure 
enough, in a few days it was known that Pope had been 
releived and McClellan had been placed in command of his 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 131 

old army again. This restored confidence in the ranks and 
among some of the subordinate officers, but there were two 
Federal officers occupying high positions that were contin- 
ually punishing McClellan, accusing him of tardiness, viz : 
Halleck and Stanton, Mc was a democrat, purely Ameri- 
can, and waged the war on American principles — that of 
humanity and fairness, but this was objected to by such 
men as W. T. Sherman, John Pope, Phil Sheridan, and one 
General Hunter, of Shenandoah Valley fame. One lady of 
Virginia published him in one of the Richmond papers as 
being a persecutor of helpless women and children, a hun- 
ter of pig-pens, cow-stalls, chicken-roosts, horse-stables and 
corn-cribs, and what he could not appropriate to his own 
use he applied the torch to destroy. McClellan would not 
tolerate such in his command, therefore his mode of war- 
fare was not approved of by the extreme Southern haters 
of the North. General Lee had a high estimate on McClel- 
lan, as an able commander and as a conscientious gentle- 
man. Pardon the digression. If my recollection serves 
me right, early on the morning of the 10th we were ordered 
to be ready to move at a moment's notice, and at about 9 
A. M., A. P. Hill, with his division, begun to pass and 
cross the river on the wagon bridge, entering the streets 
of Frederick City. Our division came next following Hill 
on the Hagerstown turnpike, Jackson's old division, fol- 
lowing us. Frederick City was full of Southern sympa- 
thizers, as Bradley T. Johnson had raised a large company 
of cavalry in that neighborhood at the outbreak of the war, 
and were then serving with J. E. B. Stuart. We marched 
pretty rapid for several miles as if there were something 
ahead that was about to "drop." I straggled out to get 
two or three canteens filled with water; when I had a 
chance to hear some friendly words pass between one of 
our cavalrymen and a young lady that he was acquainted 
with. Our troops were passing by at a quick step, all 
stained with rain, dust and dirt, and was devoid of all 
pomp of war. We were so unlike soldiers that she had 
been used to seeing that she exclaimed : "Why, John, how 
can such a dirty, filthy set of soldiers defeat the neatly 
dressed boys of the Army of the Potomac? Such clothes! 
All ragged and filthy." John was sitting on his horse with 
one leg thrown over the pommel of his saddle, listening. 
When she got through, John remarked, "Bessie, we don't 
put on our best clothes to kill hogs in." This was a stunner 



132 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

to Bessie and it caused an outburst of applause from those 
that were listening. I immediately left the crowd and hur- 
ried on to catch up with my command. "Stonewall" Jack- 
son was a great curiosity to some of the people of Freder- 
ick as his men, for it was said that crowds of people were 
contiuously hanging around his headquarters peeping 
through the windows, as if anxious to catch him at his in- 
cantations. A correspondent in one of the Northern papers 
wrote of him, and our appearance while in Maryland; he 
said that "Old Stonewall" was the observed of all observers ; 
he was dressed in the coarsest kind of homespun, seedy and 
dirty at that ; worse still, he wore an old slouched hat which 
any northern beggar would have considered an insult to 
have offered him, and in his general appearance was in no 
respect to be distinguished from the mongrel bare-footed 
crew who followed his fortunes. He said that he had heard 
much of the decayed appearance of the Rebel soldiers, but 
such a looking crowd! Ireland in her worst straits could 
present no parallel ; and yet they glory in their shame." I 
only mention this quotation for the purpose of showing you 
the estimate that some of the Northern critics had of Jack- 
son and his men at this time. We cared nothing then for 
good looks, all we wanted was plenty to eat — plenty of am- 
munition — a good gun, and plenty of game, which we found 
in a few days further on. Our first day's march brought 
us on the west side of South Mountain, where we went into 
camp on the Hagerstown turnpike. Here was issued one 
roasting-ear to the man, another luxury. I roasted mine 
with the shuck on, and would rub it with a piece of fat 
bacon, then sprinkle on a little salt and then what I did was 
enough. We rested well all night, and the next morning 
we started again, we knew not where nor for what purpose, 
but I will tell later on. 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 133 

CHAPTER XLIII 

AN OLD VETERAN'S RECOLLECTIONS OF "STONE- 
WALL" JACKSON'S CAMPAIGN IN THE STATE 
OF MARYLAND, 1862, NO. 3. 

Dear Friend : 

I said in the preceeding chapter that our first day's march 
out from Frederick in the direction of Hagerstown put us 
on the west side of South Mountain, which branches off 
from the Blue Ridge in the neighborhood of a little village 
called Boonsboro, forming what was called Pleasant Valley. 
This was a beautiful country, level and the large fields of 
corn and the large fields of red bloom clover, with 
its luxuriant growth was evidence of the fertility 
of the soil. The beautiful residences, with their 
surroundings along our route toward Hagerstown, de- 
noted wealth and happiness. The people along our route 
did not seem to realize what was going on, or what was 
soon to happen among them not many days hence. At 
many of these houses, women, girls and boys had assembled 
to see "Stonewall" Jackson's Corps pass. At nearly every 
place we were greeted with cheers and hoozas for Jeff 
Davis and the Southern Confederacy. Of course, we ac- 
knowledged by giving the "Rebel Yell." It was strictly 
against orders to straggle or molest anything the citizens 
had, and as well as I remember the order was obeyed ex- 
cept as to straggling, for it was said that on this account 
General Lee came near loosing the battle of Sharpsburg, 
which took place a few days after the time that I am now 
writing about. As well as I remember, we didn't know 
where we were going, or what was in store for us to do, 
but one thing that we all knew, and that was that old 
"Stonewall" had his head set on something which would de- 
velop in a few days, and all we had to do was to march 
when ordered, and halt when ordered, and if we wanted to 
know what was to be done it was our business to be there, 
and sure enough, in a few days we found out what was "m 
the air." As I have already said we were marching on the 
Hagerstown turnpike, but before we reached that little 
town (which was just over the line in Pennsylvania), we 



134 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

turned to the left, leaving Hagerstown to our right, and 
pursued a direct course toward Williamsport, a town on 
and near the bank of the Potomac. Our march was of 
moderate gait, giving plenty time to rest, and was unat- 
tended with any excitement or incident to have caused un- 
easiness or alarm. We camped for the night and remained 
until the next morning, when sometime during the day we 
were ordered to recross the Potomac. This we did by wad- 
ing at the ford opposite the town of Williamsport. I am 
only guessing when I say that this crossing is about fifty 
miles above Leesburg, where we crossed over into Maryland 
on the 5th. After crossing we made a hurried march out 
to the B. & 0. R. R., which leads westerly to Wheeling in 
West Virginia, and eastwardly to Baltimore, running 
through Martinsburg, Harper's Ferry and Frederick City, 
where we had left the balance of the army. We were near 
Martinsburg, a beautiful little town, pretty evenly divided 
in sentiment between the North and South. It was no 
trouble for us to get up a scrap between the little boys as 
we passed through, as they would gather on the sidewalks 
to see us pass, some of the little fellows would hollow "hur- 
rah for Jeff Davis," another would answer by saying "hur- 
rah for Abe Lincoln ;" we would say, hit him Jeff Davis, or 
Abe Lincoln, as the case might be, and thus the scrap 
would begin, the Jeff's and Abe's would gather from every 
direction, when a general melee would begin, lasting until 
the mothers and sisters would interfere, which generally 
caused a hasty retreat of the beligerants, but it was fun 
for us. A. P. Hill's Division was in the lead, and as they 
approached this little town, the brigade of Yankees that 
was there fled to the stronghold of Harper's Ferry, which 
augumented the garrison at that place to eleven thousand. 
Subsequent events shows that it was known by Lee and 
Jackson that there was a force at each of those places and 
it was supposed that the advance upon Frederick would 
cause those places to be evacuated which would open up 
his line of communication with Richmond by a shorter 
route. This, however, did not occur, and it became a mat- 
ter of importance that those places should be captured. We 
knew nothing of General Lee and the balance of the army 
that we had left at Frederick, but by the 13th we could be- 
gin to see the cause of our tardiness. General Lee had to 
send a force to occupy Maryland Heights, and a force to oc- 
cupy Louden Heights on the South side of the Shenandoah, 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 135 

while Jackson's Corps occupied the front, stretching from 
the Potomac on his left to the Shenandoah on his right. 
Thus you will see that we had them bottled up at Harper's 
Ferry, and it was only a question of time for their surren- 
der or a terrible battle to take place, for escape was im- 
possible. There we were in plain view of Bolivar Heights, 
about one mile distant, which was occupied by the enemy, 
and had been so well fortified, and the timber all felled 
with the tops toward us, which gave it a fearful appear- 
ance, and would naturally put a fellow to thinking serious- 
ly to have to attack such a looking place as that, but if 
"Stonewall" orders, that's enough, we are ready to obey. 
On account of the movements of some of the other troops, 
the attack was delayed and we allowed to look and wait, 
for we were ready to assault. 



CHAPTER XLIV 

AN OLD VETERAN'S RECOLLECTIONS OF "STONE- 
WALL" JACKSON'S CAMPAIGN IN THE STATE 
OF MARYLAND, 1862, NO. 4. 

Dear Friend : 

In the preceeding chapter I said that on account of the 
movements of other troops the attack upon Harper's Ferry 
was delayed, and now I will proceed to tell the cause, but 
I didn't know then. It has been made known that before 
we left Frederick City, General Lee issued a general order 
for the movements of his army, directing Jackson to pur- 
sue the route that we did pursue, thereby driving the 
Yankees that were at Martinsburg into Harper's Ferry, 
where the "whole crowd could be bagged" — and directing 
McLaws with his division to proceed in the direction of 
Harper's Ferry and occupy Maryland Heights, which com- 
manded the town from the Maryland side. The heights 
were occupied by the Yankees and McLaws met with a 
stubborn resistance, and there was considerable delay in 
getting his infantry and artillery in position, but when 
once in position he had complete control of the town from 
that side. General Walker with his division, was ordered 



136 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

to recross the Potomac below the Ferry and occupy Loudon 
Heights on the Virginia side, where he could enfilade their 
line of fortifications on Bolivar Heights from the left. 
Harper's Ferry is situated in the fork of the Potomac and 
Shenandoah Rivers, thus you see that McLaws occupied a 
position where he could rain shells on them from the rear, 
while Walker could do the same thing on their left, and as 
I have already stated, Jackson's Corps of three divisions 
occupying the front or Western side, reaching from the 
Potomac on our left to the Shenandoah on our right. The 
order directing the movements of the army from Frederick 
was sent to General D. H. Hill, and it is said that this of- 
ficer, in a moment of passion, threw the order on the 
ground, and when our people evacuated the place and the 
advance of the enemy reached there, this order was picked 
up by a Yankee and no time was lost in conveying it to 
General McClellan, as it revealed to him much needed in- 
formation as to General Lee's plans. McClellan's first ob- 
ject was to relieve Harper's Ferry by sending a force to 
attack McLaws in the rear, but McLaws held the gaps in 
the mountain passes long enough to aid Jackson in captur- 
ing the place, although it took considerable time to get 
ready, and no doubt that Jackson was in great suspense. 
Late in the evening of the 14th, it was made known by sig- 
nal from the Maryland and Loudon Heights that McLaws 
and Walker were ready and were only waiting for the sig- 
nal from Jackson to commence the bombardment. Jack- 
son began to make preparations for the attack at early 
dawn the next morning. It is said that he issued 
but one order, and that was in a simple and blunt way 
when he ordered A. P. Hill to "turn the enemy's left flank 
and enter Harper's Ferry." And in order to gain some 
important advantage for the attack the next morning he 
observed a hill on the enemy's extreme left occupied by in- 
fantry without artilley, and protected only by an abbattis 
of felled timber. He ordered General Hill to seize this 
crest, and in compliance with that order, Hill ordered 
Generals Pender, Archer and Colonel Brockenbrough, with 
their brigades to seize this crest, and at the same time he 
ordered Generals Branch and Gregg, with their brigades, 
to march along down the Shenandoah, and taking advant- 
age of the ravines intersecting its steep banks, and estab- 
lish themselves on the left, and rear of the enemy's works, 
holding his other brigade in reserve. This was all accom- 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 137 

plished during the night, and at the same time Colonel 
Crutchfield, Jackson's Chief of Artillery, was not idle, for 
he succeeded during the night to drag ten guns belonging 
to our division across to the South side of the Shenandoah, 
so as to enfilade the enemy's entrenchments on Bolivar 
Heights, thereby taking his nearest and most formidable 
work in reverse. We infantry fellows were not allowed 
to build fires that night, and we lay in rear of our guns, 
to sleep if we could, or lie there and imagine the result 
of the events of the morning. I have no doubt but that 
there were many prayers offered to the Almighty that night 
imploring his protecting care and divine assistance to pass 
safely through the fiery ordeal that stared us in the face, 
which semingly to us we had to pass. At early dawn, 
in strict obedience to orders the attack upon the garrison 
began. As soon as it was light enough to distinguish ob- 
jects, the pickets began to fire on each other. We were 
aroused from our slumber and ordered into ranks, and there 
we stood in suspense, waiting for orders. As the sun be- 
gan to shed his light from the East, the firing became more 
rapid, the fight was on. There was a signal station near 
us, where couriers were constantly dashing to and from. 
This station was in communication with McLaws and Wal- 
ker, and I happened to step out of ranks a few minutes 
and went near the station and I heard the signal officer 
say to a courier, "Tell General Jackson that McLaws and 
Walker are ready," and the courier dashed off and soon re- 
turned with a message, as I supposed, from Jackson, and 
soon a rapid and vigorous fire was opened from the batteries 
all along our line, and those on Maryland and Loudon 
Heights, and also the batteries of Colonel Crutchfield, down 
on the Shenandoah. The shells rained in on them from 
every direction for about two hours, when a courier came 
dashing along shouting "The white flag is up, the white 
flag is up!" We could see it from our position, and I tell 
you, reader, there was a proud set of boys. The firing 
ceased all along the line and the agony with us was over. 
Seventy-three pieces of artillery, about thirteen thousand 
small arms and eleven thousand prisoners, besides a large 
quantity of military stores fell into our hands. General A. 
P. Hill was left with his division to receive the surrender 
and secure the captured property. Jackson with his other 
two divisions set out for Sharpsburg, Maryland, and Mc- 
Laws and Walker was ordered to follow without delay. 



138 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

Our command did not have the chance of going over to 
Harper's Ferry as there seemed to be a pressing need for 
us in another direction. We marched that evening about 
twelve miles, when we went into camp and cooked three 
days rations, and ordered to be ready to march at five 
o'clock the next morning. We were all glad that Harper's 
Ferry had been so easily captured with so little loss of 
life on both sides, but we were sorry that we were not 
allowed to go over into the place. That was our second 
time to look upon Bolivar Heights and it was our last, 
Sept. 15th, 1862. 



CHAPTER XLV 

AN OLD VETERAN'S RECOLLECTIONS OF "STONE- 
WALL" JACKSON'S CAMPAIGN IN THE STATE 
OF MARYLAND, 1862, N0.5. 

Dear Friend : 

We were up pretty late on the night of the 15th on ac- 
count of having to cook three day's rations. We were 
ordered to be ready to march at five o'clock, and reville 
sounded in time to get us up and attend roll call, and be 
ready to march when orders came. After putting on our 
accoutrements, getting into ranks and answering to roll 
call, we were ordered to stack arms and rest until further 
orders. Of course, we were glad to here order to break 
ranks and rest, and we did so by sprawling ourselves on 
the ground and so many of us were taking a morning 
snooze. We had not heard of the hard fighting that had 
been going on over in Maryland between the balance of 
General Lee's army and the advance of McClellan's, neither 
did we know where they were or what was next to be done, 
but we soon ascertained that McClellan had pursued Lee 
vigorously from Frederick City to Boonsboro gap in South 
Mountain, where Lee had halted Gen. D. H. Hill's Division 
for the purpose of delaying the enemy until Harper's Ferry 
was captured by Jackson. McClellan lost no time in as- 
saulting Hill's position at the pass, and a sanguinary en- 
gagement ensued. Hill, with his small command, repulsed 
the repeated assaults of the Federal army, and held him 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 139 

in check for five hours. This resistance had secured suf- 
ficient time to enable Jackson to complete the reduction of 
Harper's Ferry, and Lee, knowing his weakness, determ- 
ined to withdraw from the gap and retire in the direction 
of a little town called Sharpsburg, which was near the Po- 
tomac, where he could more reeadily unite with Jackson's 
Corps and McLaws' and Walker's Divisions, who had aided 
in the reduction of Harper's Ferry. As well as I remem- 
ber, at about 10 o'clock, we were ordered into line and 
marched off in the direction of the Potomac, arriving be- 
tween 12 and 2 o'clock. This ford was shallow, with a 
good bottom, and was near a small village on our side called 
Shepherdstown, and was about midway between Leesburg 
where we had crossed over on the 5th, and Williamsport, 
where we had re-crossed back into Virginia on the 12th in 
coming around to Harper's Ferry, We were ordered to 
pull off and wade again, and of course it took some time to 
undress and then dress up after we had crossed over to 
the Maryland side. When we got over and dressed, we 
struck out at a rapid gait to overtake the troops that had 
preceeded us. The little town of Sharpsburg was not more 
than two mile, or hardly so far away, down in a bottom on 
the Hagerstown turnpike surrounded by hills or small 
mountains. We marched up a long slant for some distance, 
then quitting the road, turning to the left we were marched 
into a heavy body of oak woods, large oaks with little un- 
der-growth. As each division arrived, it was marched in 
and stacked arms, and ordered to rest. I guess it was 
something like three or four o'clock and all was "calm and 
serene" with us, but it was not long to remain so. Shortly 
the sounds of cannon could be heard in a northerly direc- 
tion; and as time passed the sound became more distinct 
and we could tell that it was getting nearer, which was 
evidence that Lee's troops were falling back and McClellan 
advancing. The booming of cannon increased so that it 
seemed that a battle was in progress. Listen! the 
crack of a carbine is heard! Listen boys! Stuart's 
Videttes are giving away, and the Federal cavalry are ad- 
vancing. Presently "Boom, boom, boom" went the sound 
of our cannon, now I guess you will halt, but in a few mo- 
ments more th ecrack of Enfield rifles are heard. One, 
two, three, the fire increases and becomes more rapid. Lee 
has halted his forces and about faced as if to say to Mc- 
Clellan, you will have me to fight before you can proceed 



140 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

further. McClellan knew it, and begun to feel all along 
our line that evening and concentrating his forces for a 
general attack the next morning. Lee was not idle in mak- 
ing his preparations to meet the mighty host of ninety 
thousand, well-fed, well clothed and well armed army that 
was to be thrown against his forty thousand dirty, dingy, 
ragged and jaded veterans, with the Potomac at our backs 
not three miles away. Just think of it! Ninety thousand 
against forty thousand! but we could "lap water like a 
dog" and were true, tried and trusty and were not to be 
driven into the Potomac. At dark our brigade was moved 
in the direction of the firing that we had heard before the 
sun went down. We were marched through a field and a 
large body of oak woods, passing what is known in history 
as Dunker's Church, a frame wooden building situated on 
the North-east side of this belt of woods, near the Hagers- 
town and Sharpsburg pike about half a mile from the latter 
place. This church was used that evening for a hospital, 
and there were a few wounded in it as we passed, but they 
were all removed that night, as the house was riddled with 
bombshells the next day. We were not allowed to talk 
above a whisper, and in fact, not much of that was going 
on anyway for the time began to be serious, no noise of 
any kind was allowed. We moved slowly, as if creeping 
up on something, and presently we come to troops in line 
of battle, and upon enquiry it was ascertained that they 
were Hood's Brigade of Texans. They told us that they 
had been fighting the Yankees that evening, and that they 
were in line of battle not very far away and in heavy force. 
We took their place and they retired. There we lay all 
night on the ground, not allowed to unbuckle, nor undo 
anything we had on, only to wait and see what the next 
day would bring forth. We had not been in line but a 
short while before one man from each company was de^ 
tailed to go on picket to relieve the pickets of Hood's 
Brigade. Our company had to furnish a seargeant, and 
it was Seargeant Mose Maybin's time, and he went, and I 
never saw him again. The pickets out in the woods in 
front were shooting at each other all along during the 
night, and they were so close that occasionally we could 
hear a bullet go singing over us, which had a tendency to 
keep us awake. Thus we lay on the cold ground all the 
night of the 16th, waiting for the dawn of that memorable 
day, the 17th of Sept. 1862. In the next chapter I will tell 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 141 

what happened as I now remember. I had forgotten to tell 
that all our brigade and nearly all of the regimental field 
officers were either killed or wounded in the engagements 
over at Manassas, and we were without a brigade comman- 
der, but Captain Gates and several others of the line peti- 
tioned the proper authorities for a commander for the 
brigade, and Colonel John A. Walker of the 13th Virginia 
was assigned to command. Our Colonel (Lowther) was as 
usual, sick and back with the wagon train. Colonel Wal- 
ker was a fine commander and filled the bill. We all had 
confidence in him. He afterwards became to be a briga- 
dier. We were always glad to see him after his promotion, 
and it always seemed that he had a kind recollection of 
Trimble's Brigade, and felt to some degree that we had 
contributed to his promotion. Our regiment was ably 
commanded by Captain J. B. Feagan of Co. "B," after- 
wards Colonel Feagan. I will say something of him in the 
next chapter. 



CHAPTER XLVI 

AN OLD VETERAN'S RECOLLECTIONS OF "STONE- 
WALL" JACKSON'S CAMPAIGN IN THE STATE 

OF MARYLAND, 1862, NO. 6 

Dear Friend : 

At early dawn on the 17th, or as soon as objects could 
be distinguished, the skirmishers of both sides began to 
fire on each other, and as the sun in the East began to 
throw his reflecting rays of light over the top of South 
Mountain, the firing increased and it was in this early 
engagement that Seargeant Mose Maybin of my company 
received his death wound. General Lee was now prepared 
to deliver battle, and meet the mighty host that he knew 
would be thrown against him that day. General Lee did 
not intend an advance upon McClellan, but took position 
to resist any further advance of the Yankee army. Our 
skirmishers, after a spirited contest for an hour or more 
was driven in and followed by heavy lines of solid infantry. 
We rem.ained in line, ready and waiting for the general 
advance. The batteries of both sides opened a furious 



142 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

fire all along Jackson's front, under cover of which the 
enemy advanced his masses to attack. Our corps occupied 
the left of General Lee's line of battle, extending far to the 
left in the direction of the Potomac. Our right joined the 
left of Longstreet's forces. At about 7 o'clock the enemy 
advanced his double and tripple lines against us, and we 
met them with the utmost resolution and for several hours 
the conflict raged with great fury and alternate success. 
My regiment, the 15th Alabama, was on the extreme right 
of Swell's Division, and joined Longstreet. We were 
without any protection whatever ; we had sit or lain on the 
cold ground all night with no covering to protect us from 
the cold dew of a September morn in that cold climate, 
and our limbs had become so stffened and benumbed that 
would have prevented an active movement by us unless 
there had been some urgent necessity which occurred about 
eleven o'clock, which I will endeavor to explain later on. 
About two hundred yards in our rear, and opposite Bun- 
ker's Church, there was a hill that our people had crowned 
with artillery. It seems to me now that there were not 
less than twelve guns there which done the most of their 
firing over our heads, and as many, if not more of the 
enemy's guns were replying all the time, and shot and shell 
from both sides were constantly passing, not more than ten 
feet above our heads, and I tell you, reader, that was a 
very unpleasant place to be in. Longstreet's Corps stretch- 
ed back to our right and rear, occupying the crest of a hill 
overlooking the slope to the Antietam Creek, and the valley 
beyond to the base of South Mountain. The Yankee bat- 
teries over there could enfilade our lines, and had it not 
been for the burning of a large house on our right, I have 
always thought that we would have been driven from our 
position by the fire of their cannon, but the smoke from the 
burning house obscured our position from view while we 
were engaged with the infantry in front. It was a face 
to face combat between the 15th Alabama and the 10th 
Maine. This fact I ascertained some sixteen years ago, 
through a correspondence with Maj. John M. Gould, of 
IPortland, Maine. He had the kindness to invite me to 
meet with them at a reunion of the 1st, 10th and 29th 
Maine, to be held on the battlefield by the above named 
regiments on the 17th of Sept. 1891, and had I been able I 
should have went, for I was satisfied that that fellow would 
have made it pleasant for me, barring the recollections of 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 143 

the loss of some of the best men in my company. Our 
correspondence was entirely without bitterness or parti- 
sanship. He addressed me as his friend in Gray and I 
would reply as my friend in Blue. Our correspondence 
has long since terminated and it may be that he has "cros- 
sed over." In this engagement the positions of Co.'s K, 
G and B was protected to some extent by a slight rise in 
the ground in our front. We loaded and fired on our knees 
just raising high enough to miss the ground in front. 
There was a fence about fifty yards that run diagonally 
across our front, and it was at this fence that the 10th 
Maine lost so heavily. They made repeated efforts to 
cross, but each time they would be met with such a shower 
of "buck and ball" that would cause them to run back to 
the woods where they would re-form and come again. 
When they would reach the fence they were so near that 
I could see the buckles on their caps and buttons on their 
coats. They would mount the fence and with each volley 
from us I could see them tumble forward and backward 
at such a rate as to check their determination. Their 
colors would go down, but there was always some one to 
raise it again. They were a brave set of fellows, but they 
could not drive us. They fought us long and hard, and fin- 
ally they retired to the woods for a more complete organi- 
zation, and to be re-inforced for a renewal of the attack. 
While we were thus engaged, the battle on our left was 
raging with great fury. The main assaults were being 
made on Jackson's Corps. Hood's Brigade of Texans had 
been sent to re-inforce Jackson, and they became hotly en- 
gaged. Our ammunition was running short, and Capt. J. 
B. Feagan, who was in command of the regiment (Colonel 
Lowther being absent sick), ordered details to be made to 
go to the ordnance train and bring ammunition. The firing 
in our front had slackened, and we were lying idle holding 
our position waiting for ammunition, when Gen. D. H. Hill 
rode up in our rear and asked "What regiment is this lying 
here?" Captain Feagan replied "the 15th Alabama." "My 
God," roared General Hill, "is this an Alabama regiment 
lying here?" "We are out of ammunition," says Captain 
Feagan. Hill roared out again, "Haven't you got bayo- 
nets? Take rocks and go forward." At this juncture 
several officers rose up, and men in the ranks protested by 
exclaiming in loud voices, "Don't you do it, Captain," and 
Captain Feagan remained quiet and Hill rode off. He af- 



144 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

terwards preferred charges against Captain Feagain for 
disobedience of orders, and upon a trial the court exhonor- 
ated Captain Feagan and complimented him for his good 
judgement, a rebuke to General Hill's rashness. General 
Hill did not know what was in front as well as Feagan 
and the men did, but he soon found out, for he ordered 
Colquitt's Brigade of Georgians, who belonged to his divis- 
ion, to re-inforce that part of the line when really we were 
not being pressed at that time. They came up in fine 
style and passed over us, and as it happened, little Johnnie 
Mathews, who was known by some of us before the war, 
belonged to the regiment and company that passed over 
ours, was recognized and he paused long enough to shake 
hands with a few of us that he knew. He bade us good- 
bye and broke off in a run to overtake his company. Soon 
they encountered Hooker's Division of Sumner's Corps 
when the firing for a few moments was extremely heavy, 
and a stream of wounded Georgians came pouring to the 
rear. We never saw little Johnnie Mathews again for we 
afterwards learned that he was killed in that engagement. 
I knew him before the war, and had cultivated a friend- 
ship for him that old mother time will never efface. Peace 
to his ashes. The Georgians met with such overwhelming 
numbers that they had to give way, and here they came 
pell mell, and our joints that had been so stiff and benum- 
bed now became limber, and I tell you, reader, we "got" 
with the Georgians. My individual line of escape lay di- 
rectly across the hill that our artillery was on, and as soon 
as our infantry had passed out of the way, they turned 
loose a sower of grape and cannister that put a check on 
the pursueing enemy. The Yankee batteries that was 
posted on the other side of Antietam Creek had a direct 
flank fire on the right of our battery on this hill, and as 
soon as the infantry got out of the way, the batteries in 
front turned loose and I can't see how man or horse got 
away from there. I had to pass through, or near by, to 
our battery, and it was like running the gauntlet, for as 
I passed the shells and solid shot was playing havoc with 
our battery, but we lost no guns. When on this hill I 
looked back to my right where the left of our line lay, and 
I distinctly saw three line of battle advancing on Lawton's 
Georgians, commanded by Colonel Douglas. The Geor- 
gians were lying behind a little breastwork made of fence 
rails, quietly waiting for them to come near enough to deal 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 145 

a death blow at a single volley. I and others had no time 
to halt around that battery, and hurried on to get out of 
range. As I passed I turned to the right, coming to the 
rock fence that was on one side of the Hagrstown turnpike, 
I fell over as quick as I could, others doing the same. About 
this time McLaws' and Walker's Divisions arrived from 
Harper's Ferry and a part of each division was thrown 
forward to meet the mighty host that was trying to crush 
Jackson's Corps. Lawton's Georgians had turned loose 
upon the advancing Yankees and put a check on them, such 
a roar of musketry was seldom heard and there I was, away 
from my command, without ammunition, not knowing 
where it was or what to do. The solid shot and unexploded 
shells kept knocking down the rock fence, and my position 
soon became untenable, so I concluded that I would move 
on down the pike in the direction of the little town of 
Sharpsburg, which was not far away down in the bottom. 
When I got down there I found General Colquitt and several 
other officers of distinction standing in the road begging 
men to halt and fall into ranks, of what looked to me as a 
straggler's brigade. I told them that I was without ammu- 
nition, and they cited me to a place where I could be sup- 
plied. I filled my box and pockets and went where they 
directed and fell into line. I asked the lieutenant com- 
manding for a certificate of my presence and detention in 
that command, he wrote on a small slip of paper the fol- 
lowing: To whom it may concern: I hereby certify that 
Corporal W. A. McClendon of Co. *'G" 15th Alabama Regi- 
ment, was detained to do service in front of Sharpsburg, 
to assist in checking the advance of the enemy near the 
bridge across the Antietam. Signed Lieut Ga. com- 
manding." I folded the slip and put it in my pocket and 
felt some easier. Our position was behind a fence, with 
a corn-field in front. The corn was in roasting-ear, the 
rows running at right angles to the fence, which enabled 
us to have a fair fire at the Yanks as they advanced down 
the rows. The contest up on the hill, in the direction from 
which I came, and on the left of Longstreet's front, was 
raging with great fury. Somebody's children were being 
hurt. We were not long in waiting before they showed 
themselves in our front, and commenced to advance down 
the corn rows, and as soon as they came near enough we 
gave them a volley which sent them back disorganized. 
We kept firing as long as we could see one in range, and 



—10 



146 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

at last the smoke became so thick that we could not see 
anything. I quit shooting and lay down, for I could not 
see anything to shoot at. They ceased their attack on us, 
and fresh troops coming in they fell back, consequently we 
were idle and some of the men began to leave the ranks to 
hunt for their commands. This was objected to by the 
officers, and I made no attempt to leave and remained 
there fully two hours, ready to do whatever I was com- 
manded to do. The contest for the possession of the bridge 
across the Antietam was in progress, and the slaughter was 
something like to that of Bonapart's passage of the bridge 
of Lodi. It was defended by that unreconstructed Georgan 
Bob Toombs, with two regiments of his brigade. They 
repulsed five different desperate assaults made by greatly 
superior numbers, but the Georgians maintained their po- 
sition with distinguished gallantry. The enemy began to 
extend his line to the left down the creek as if to cross be- 
low, and Toombs withdrew his command when the enemy 
began to cross, but was met by General Jones, which put 
a check to their advance from that direction. After this 
the emergency of our detention passed, and we were or- 
dered to break ranks and go to our commands. I set out 
at once, and passing through the little town, I entered an 
apple orchard and there helped myself to all I wanted from 
those that had fallen from the trees. I passed by some 
straw stacks that were two feet above the ground and sev- 
eral men had taken refuge under them. I knew only one 
of them, and that was Johnnie Nelson, an Irishman that 
belonged to Co. "K." I asked him if he knew where the 
regiment was and he replied "No" and looked so indifferent 
that it left the impression on my mind that he did not care. 
I did not know which way to go or what to do. What 
bothered me was being away from my command, and did 
not know but what they were in the heavy fighting that was 
going on in front. I had understood that Gen. A. P. Hill, 
with his division from Harper's Ferry was momentarily 
expected to arrive. I went up a long slant toward a heavy 
belt of woods and sat down. Soldiers were passing to and 
fro, some lost from their commands the same as I was. I 
enquired often for the 15th Alabama, but no one could tell 
anything about it. The sun was about two hours high when 
General A. P. Hill arrived with his division. He threw 
forward his batteries along with Gen. D. R. Jones and re- 
inforced him with three brigades of his division, and the 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 147 

progress of the enemy was soon checked and his line began 
to waver and began to fall back. I was an eye witness to 
this fight, and it was animating to me to see Hill's troops 
advancing and firing in such fine style. The enemy fell 
back in confusion, pursued by the troops of Hill and Jones 
until he had reached the protection of his numerous bat- 
teries on the opposite side of the creek. It was now nearly 
dark when the firing ceased. I moved on up the hill where 
I saw a line of men, but it proved to be men belonging to 
several commands lost like myself. They began to call 
out their commands and I began to call for the 15th Ala- 
bama. I called several times as loud as I could, and at last 
some one answered "Here." I called again, receiving the 
same answer. I moved on in the direction of the voice 
until I came up to the man that had been answering and 
I found it to be Daniel McClellan of my company, who had 
been sick and had fallen behind. He had not been in the 
engagement, consequently he could give me no tidings of 
our company. It was dark and after consulting over our 
condition and the situation of affairs, we concluded to stay 
there until morning. We spread our guns and blankets at 
the root of a large oak, and there undisturbed we soon 
dropped off to sleep, not however, until I had told him of 
our hard fight that day, and the loss of four or five of our 
best men. 



CHAPTER XLVII 

AN OLD VETERAN'S ACCOUNT OF "STONEWALL" 

JACKSON'S LAST DAY IN THE STATE OF 

MARYLAND, 1862. 

Dear Friend : 

All Confederate veterans know how easily it was to 
sleep, after a hard day's fight, when an opportunity was 
offered. He would only have to be still a little while be- 
fore he would fall into a doze, even under bursting shells 
and the sound of sm.all arms he would fall asleep. Thus it 
was with myself and Daniel McClellan on the night of the 
17th. At early dawn we started to the front in^search of 
our command. Other soldiers were moving in the same 



148 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

direction, some in squads commanded by an officer, all 
moving to the front, bent upon the same mission as our- 
selves. We came out of the woods into a large field where 
we could see a mile to the front, and in the far distance 
I discovered a line of troops, which I recognized by their 
colors to be Virginians, occupying pretty much the same 
position of the day before. This proved to be Jackson's 
old division on the left of his corps. We hurried on in 
the direction of our position of the day before, until we 
came near the belt of woods that Bunker's Church was in, 
and not far away I recognized the colors of the 15th Ala- 
bama, and we proceeded directly for them. When we ar- 
rived, as well as my memory serves, there were about sixty 
men with them, and they were commanded by Lieut. C. V. 
Morris of Co. "G," who is familiarly known to us as Colonel 
Morris, an aged and honored citizen who now resides at 
Ft. Gaines, Ga. Lieut. L. L. Guerry of Co. "C" was second 
in command; he has crossed over. The boys were telling 
of yesterday's battle, who were killed and who wounded, 
and what they did. They all had been more or less en- 
gaged after we left our position of the early morning. Of 
course, I had to tell my experience, that I had fought in 
what I called a straggler's brigade. I produced my cer- 
tificate of detention, which eliminated all doubt, if any ex- 
isted of my unfaithfulness. I was proud to get to my 
command, but was made sad when I learned that our Order- 
ly Sargeant Joe Balkum had been killed and Sargeant J. J. 
Carr had lost his right arm from which he died ; either of 
them would have made fine officers. Others kept coming 
in and by nine o'clock we had a pretty good regiment, con- 
sidering the arduous service that we had lately performed. 
All the regiments of the brigade were gotten together, and 
took position in line in the division and made ready to meet 
a renewal of the attack that was expected would be made 
that morning. Desultory firing had been going on be- 
tween the pickets all the morning and an attack was mo- 
mentarily expected but happily for us none came, for we 
were tired and worn out and needed rest, but we would 
have obeyed and would have hurt the Yankees worse that 
day than we did the day before, as our position was better. 
About 11 o'clock a truce was ordered for the purpose of 
removing the wounded and burying the dead. I was not 
on the detail, but straggled over as near to our position 
of the morning before as I could, looking for Orderly 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 149 

Balkum, but I did not find him. I passed through a low 
rocky bottom in the woods, just in the rear of the position 
of Lawton's Brigade of the morning before and there I 
saw boys in Gray and boys in Blue, cold in death, lymg 
close to each other, almost touching each other in some 
places, and I am sorry to say that some of them were partly 
denuded. Colonel Douglas of the 13th Georgia was one of 
the slain that I recognized, and he was partly nude also. 
Ghastly spectacles were abundant as the eye ranged oyer 
this scene of mortal strife. The scene was so sickening 
and the cries of the wounded so pitiful, and I so powerless 
to help that I turned away in silence and wended my way 
back to my command, wondering how and when this cruel 
war would end. During the day the wounded were re- 
moved, and the dead buried. General Lee had special 
reasons for not renewing the battle that morning, in con- 
sequence of the arduous service that we had done, having 
been deprived of much rest, making long marches and many 
without shoes and all these things together had greatly re- 
duced our numebrs before the battle commenced. Our 
ranks had been greatly diminished in the terrible action of 
the day before, so much that he was too weak to assume 
the offensive, and he preferred to wait for a renewal of 
the attack upon him. The day passed without any demon- 
stration by the enemy and it was reported that he was 
waiting for re-inforcements. General Lee could not ex- 
pect any, but had formed his line with what he had, and 
was ready to receive them in a much better position than 
of the first day. History says that Fitz John Porter's 
Corps of the Yankee army did not fire a gun the first day, 
and that a strong division under General Couch arrived 
that evening from Washington, and these facts being known 
by General Lee, he did not think it prudent to wait for an- 
other attack, consequently during the night of the 18tn 
we were quietly withdrawn to the South side of the Po- 
tomac, crossing at the same ford near Shepardstown where 
we crossed over on the 16th. Our crossing was made quiet- 
ly without loss or molestation, back to Virginia once more. 
Thank God! with whole hide and bones. I just naturally 
felt like I had been a long time from home and had to my 
joy returned. I was just simply tired out and no one but 
myself knew how glad I was to recross the Potomac. I 
was glad that we were not attacked as was expected that 
day. Our loss in field officers had been heavy. Several 



150 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

brigadiers and colonels had been killed, but the loss of the 
Federals had been greater than ours as they were the as- 
sailants. Major Generals Mansfield and Reno were killed, 
each commanding a division in Sumner's Corps and several 
brigadiers and colonels were killed and wounded. Major 
General Hooker was also wounded. History gives our loss 
at eight thousand. The sacrifice of officers on both sides 
had been serious. I give it as my opinion that the battle 
of Sharpsburg or Antietam (as some called it,) was the 
hardest battle that was fought by Lee's army during the 
war. I base my opinion upon the general condition and 
numbers of both armies at the time. It was an all day 
fight. The Confederate line was weak, but the Federal 
line was strong, and they could re-inforce their line when- 
ever and wherever they wanted to. We could not do it, 
but would have to stand with our depleted ranks and meet 
every assault made upon them without flickering, which 
was characteristic of the Veteran Corps of "Stonewall" 
Jackson. 'Tis true, our line was broken in several places, 
but at no time did we become panic stricken and desert 
the field. They had the numbers, we had the courage and 
confidence to meet them in every attack. With but two or 
three exceptions we held our same positions on the 18th, 
that we did on the 17th, and thus we stood with our de- 
pleted ranks staring the Federal army in the face ready to 
meet the increased host that could have been thrown 
against us that day, but the Yankee's, general hesitated, 
he was afraid to venture. It has been conceded by impar- 
tial histroy that this was a drawn battle, but the Federal 
commander had to say something to appease the wrath of 
his government; and on the 19th, after Lee had re-crossed 
everything back into Virginia, he telegraphed his govern- 
ment "that he did not know if the enemy were falling back 
to an interior position or recrossing the river, but we can 
safely claim the victory as ours." But in a very short 
while after this despatch he ascertained that Lee had re- 
crossed the Potomac, he consoled his government with an- 
other telegram saying, "The victory is complete, Lee has 
been driven back into Virginia, and Maryland and Penn- 
sylvania are safe." McClellan wa stoo badly hurt to push 
his advantage if he had any. He knew his condition better 
than any one else, but his government was chafing under 
disappointment. It had long been the talk that if Lee's 
army could advance into Maryland that there were thous- 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 151 

ands of Marylanders only waiting for a chance to join our 
army to assist in throwing off the yoke of tyranny that had 
so long held them down. At Frederick City about the 8th 
of September, General Lee issued an address, (which is 
somewhere in history) directed "To the People of Mary- 
land." In this address he told them the object if his visit, 
and giving them an opportunity of rallying to our colors 
if they so desired, not to oppress or wantonly destroy any- 
thing they had, but I think they were sorter like some of 
Jubal Early's men were in the Valley in the summer of 
'64. It was said that when his lines were broken at Fish- 
er's Hill, he would dash around on his horse commanding 
the men to "rally, rally men, for God's sake rally," and 
some of his men, to guy the old fellow by replying, "narry 
rally, General, narry rally." So that was the way with 
the people of Maryland, with the exception of a few, they 
didn't rally worth a cent, preferring to gaze upon both 
armies, fearing a confiscation or a conflagration, by the 
Yankees. So the object of the Maryland campaign to some 
extent was a failure, although we had some Marylanders 
with us that was as true as steel, and loyal to the last. God 
bless them, all honor to them wherever they may be. I 
have disgressed somewhat from my main subject, but will 
return by saying that the 18th day of September, 1862, was 
the last day that "Stonewall" Jackson spent in Maryland. 
He was killed the next May, and his corps never went into 
Maryland again during his lifetime. As I have already 
said, we re-crossed the Potomac by wading and marched 
out about four miles and went into camp. I have forgot- 
ten to say that there was a canal on the North side of the 
Potomac, which was made dry by cutting the lock above. 
The banks were dug down which made it easy to cross, and 
in the next chapter I will tell you what use the Yankees 
made of it when they started in pursuit. 



152 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 



CHAPTER XLVIII 

STONEWALL JACKSON'S CORPS BACK IN VIRGINIA 

IN CAMP AT BUNKER HILL BY AN OLD 

VETERAN. 

Dear Friend : 

If my memory is not at fault, our division (Ewell's) 
was the last to recross the Potomac and Lawton's Brigade 
of Georgians was the rear brigade. As a matter of pre- 
caution the skirmishers were left in front to conceal our 
movement. I don't remember seeing any soldiers, or any 
property of any description abandoned on our route down 
to where we crossed the Potomac. When Lawton's Bri- 
gade crossed a company from the 38th Georgia was de- 
tailed as pickets to guard the ford. This company was 
called "The Irvin Invincibles" and was largely composed 
of men from this county, (Henry.) During the night the 
pickets that had been left in front was quietly withdrawn 
and the way was clear for the Yankees to advance, if they 
wanted to. Early on the morning of the 19th they dis- 
covered our adsence and began to advance. Colonel Pen- 
dleton, our chief of artillery, had planted four guns on a 
hill above the little town of Shepherdstown, for the purpose 
of resisting their advance, and the Yankees soon engaged 
him with a number of guns to overmatch, and under cover 
of their fire they began to advance their infantry. There 
was an obscure way by which they could reach the canal 
unobserved by our artillerymen, and they didn't fail to take 
this advantage, and passed down by small squads until they 
had no less than a brigade in solid column in the canal. 
They then moved down in the canal by their left flank un- 
observed by our pickets until they became opposite the 
ford, and all at once the command forward was given, 
they rose up out of the canal as though they had come out 
of the ground, and immediately made a dash for the river, 
and began to cross by wading. They began cheering, with 
their familiar Yankee brogue by yelling "hooza, hooza" as 
if to frighten our pickets away. Our pickets were on the 
opposite side, stationed behind trees, and everything 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 153 

else that afforded protection and immediately be- 
gan to fire on them while crossing, killing and wounding 
a great many of them while in the water. The fire from 
our pickets were insufficient to check them. There were 
too many for our boys, and those that lived come right on, 
and our men had to back and let them cross. It was said 
that they crossed over a division when they formed line 
of battle, threw out skirmishers, and began to advance 
slowly for the purpose of ascertaining our position. Jack- 
son being always on the alert, was knowing to all this, and 
he sent A. P. Hill down with his division to meet them and 
according to his custom, he was not long in finding them, 
and his attack was so sudden and furious that the Yanks 
broke for the river, but Hill crowded them to the water's 
edge, and many of them found a watery grave, many of 
them surrendered rather than run the risk of being shot 
down in the water. (I would have done the same thing.) 
The fight being over, Hill established his pickets and be- 
gan to move his wounded and bury his dead, and then 
marched his division back, and went into camp. I don't 
know when or how the dead and wounded Yankees was dis- 
posed of, for the battle-field was three miles away, and I 
never went back to see, but I suppose they were properly 
attended to as was our custom. Peace and quietude then 
reigned supreme, and the usual interchange of visits among 
the soldiers of different commands commenced. One of my 
visits was to the 38th Georgia, and to the company that 
had been left on picket at the river when the Yanks cros- 
sed on the night of the 18th. I had several acquaintances 
in that company, one in particular that I will mention, and 
that was no less than our good old man, W. W. Kirkland, 
who still lives an aged, honored. Christian gentleman, and 
is loved by all that know him for his manly bearing and 
virtue. He is familiarly known as Uncle Wilce, with not 
an enemy on earth, or in heaven. He knew me when a 
boy, was glad to see me and delighted to tell me his ex- 
perience while on picket at the river, when the Yankees 
come across. I was an intent listener and took great de- 
light in his story. He said, "they just come right on, hoo- 
zaying and hoozaying, as though they were driving a drove 
of cattle or trying to scare us with their noise. I loaded 
and shot them as fast as I could and I certainly must have 
downed some of them. If T didn't, the fault was in my 
gun, but we couldn't keep them back, and to keep from be- 



154 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

ing captured we had to retreat." Uncle Wilce hasn't for- 
got it 'till this day, and enjoys to tell about it yet. When 
he crosses over, surely a good man will be gone. Our camp 
was in a thick woods where fuel and water was plentiful. 
We were ordered to cook two day's rations, and we had to 
wait until our "pot" and "spider" wagon came up, which 
was momentarily expected. When it come, a rush was 
made by one from each mess to get a spider ; I represented 
my mess, and luckily I seized on to a spider and started 
to camp with it, and on my way I discovered that it was 
marked, which indicated that it had a special owner. It 
was marked on the handle by having three notches filed in 
the handle, and it was up to me to disfigure it so that the 
rightful owner would not recognize it. When I arrived at 
my camp I laid the handle on a rock and with another I in- 
tended breaking it below the notches, but just as I raised 
my rock to come down on it, some one says, "Don't break 
it, it's mine." I looked up and saw that it was Lieutenant 
Strickland of Co. "I." I withheld the blow and surrenderd 
the spider as gracefully as I knew how, but not without 
remorse, for I knew that I had done wrong. My mess- 
mates guyed me considerably, but I could say nothing, only 
for them to do better if they could, consequently we had to 
wait until some of the rest of the boys fininshed their cook- 
ing before we could cook a mouthful. This, however, was 
frequently the case, for cooking utensils was very scarce. 
While at this camp, I went out foraging for honey one 
night. One of my company ascertained where some other 
soldiers were going to rob some bee gums at night, and his 
plan was to play officer with a guard and fain a capture 
of the whole crowd and get the honey. After roll call he 
donned an officer's uniform and the three or four others 
that he had let on to it, got our guns and quietly, unob- 
served, slipped out of camp. Our leader knew exactly the 
spot of woods that the gums was to be brought to, and we 
hastened on for a mile or more. Suddenly we halted, no 
one speaking, but gazing intently down into a piece of 
woods where we were informed that the gums was to be 
brought. This is rather a squeamish piece of business, 
thought I to myself. I had just begun to realize the peril- 
ous position I might get into, and the more I brooded over 
it to myself, the more serious it became, until I was on the 
eve of dropping out and retracing my steps back to camp, 
but all at once the light of fire flashed not fifty yards away. 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 155 

"That's them" whispered our leader. Directly a knocking 
commenced, as if to lift the lids off the gums. More light 
was made. Much laughing and talking in subdued tones 
were heard, and the constant passing around the light rep- 
resented half, or a dozen men, a pretty good crowd for us 
to tackle, thought I, but I am going to stick if I am cap- 
tured myself. After a reasonable length of time, we 
marched on to them briskly. We came up from different 
directions. There were only five or six of them and as 
luck would have it we had no trouble in getting rid of the 
whole crowd. Each one had an excuse for absence until 
the last one left, the very thing we wanted them to do. 
The night was cool and the bees being of the good kind we 
had no trouble with them. They had robbed about three 
gumis and their honey were in camp kettles and our com- 
mander thought it wise to get away from there as soon as 
possible. We picked up the three or four buckets of honey 
and hastened back to camp. On arriving we concealed it 
the best we could, and for several days enjoyed eating good 
honey. We expected the next day that the citizen who 
owned the gums would be around looking for his honey, 
but none came, he might have been in the war. We didn't 
know what house they came from, the other fellows did. 
We remained in this camp for several days. I did not 
know what was going on in the balance of the army. After 
a few days we broke camp and marched in the direction 
of Winchester, halting, and going into camp about five 
miles North of Winchester at a large spring near the turn- 
pike. This place was called, and is know by the men of 
Lee's army as "Bunker Hill." There was no town, noth- 
ing but a large spring surrounded by a beautiful level, fer- 
tile land. When we were first there, in the early spring 
the surroundings indicated wealth, but the ruthless invader 
had been there, and had laid waste to everything that could 
not be appropriated to their use. The famous "Stone- 
wall" Brigade of Virginians were mostly raised in these 
parts, which intensified the hatred of the Yankees against 
these people. The spring alluded to above afforded enough 
pure water to supply Lee's army without muddying it. 
While at this camp we turned in our old smooth bore mus- 
kets, and was armed with new Enfield rifles out of the lot 
that had been captured at Harper's Ferry. Ammunition to 
suit was issued (56 calibre minnie ball), and we were all 
glad of the change, for we felt like we would be more on 



156 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

equality with the Yankees at a long distance than we were 
with our old muskets. As well as I remember, we spent 
twenty days of October at this camp, and the next move 
we made it was to cross the Blue Ridge in the direction of 
Culpepper Court House. 



CHAPTER XLIX 

AN OLD VETERAN UNDER "STONEWALL" JACKSON 
IN THE BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG 
DECEMBER 13TH, 1862. 
Dear Friend: 

The weather during the latter days of September and all 
during the month of October was ideal for the movement of 
troops. There had been but little rain, and the roads were 
good. We knew nothing of the movements of the Yankees 
and cared less. They seemed to be idle, waiting for re- 
inforcements. Our ranks, after the battle of Sharpsburg, 
and up to the battle of Fredericksburg, had received con- 
siderable strength by the return of the absentees from 
hospitals and otherwise; notwithstanding all this we were 
out-numbered by the Yankees two to one, as we generally 
were. Our march from Bunker Hill to Culpepper Court 
House was made with leisure, nothing to molest or impede 
our progress. History says that the government at Wash- 
ington was chafing with impatience at the tardiness of their 
commander, McClellan. He began to concentrate in and 
near Harper's Ferry, but made no forward movement. On 
the 6th of October President Lincoln ordered an immediate 
advance, recommending that he should take the interior 
line between Washington and Lee's army and make an 
early battle, but McClellan still hesitated and weeks wore 
on without any decided movement. The beautiful weather 
of September and October had finally passed without any 
demonstrations of moment being made. The cold, bleak 
November winds begin to whistel over the fields and moun- 
tains, and it was getting about time for something to hap- 
pen. McClellan's hesitation and timidity became so evident 
to his government at Washington that he, to his surprise, 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 157 

was relieved of the command of the Army of the Potomac 
and General Burnside assigned to command. He found at 
his command a splendid army under good discipline, such 
as it's former commander always had. It was divided into 
three grand divisions, each consisting of two corps, and 
were commanded by Generals Sumner, Hooker and Frank- 
lin. Of course the Yankee generals of that army had all 
been planning to defeat Lee, and capture Richmond and 
Burnside at once proposed to go to Richmond via Freder- 
icksburg, by crossing the Rappahannock by means of pon- 
toons, and with his one hundred and ten thousand men 
brush Lee with his sixty thousand out of his way and pro- 
ceed to Richmond by Hanover Court House, but let's see 
how near he came of carrying his plan into execution. 
About the 18th of November General Lee received infor- 
mation that confirmed the impression that Burnside was 
moving his whole army in the direction of Fredericksburg. 
He had already occupied Stafford Heights, had fortified 
and planted seige guns which commanded the town, and 
was making every preparation to cross. General Lee had 
already moved some of his army down there to resist a 
sudden attempt at crossing. Our corps was some twelve 
or fifteen miles below, near Port Royal, a little town on 
the river. General Lee concentrated his army, took po- 
sition on Maryea's Heights, and began to fortify. Long- 
street's Corps occupied the left of our line and our corps 
the right. Cold weather had set in, and we were without 
quarters. As the days wore on each army was preparing 
for another "spat," one to advance and assault, and the 
other to resist. General Lee had stationed Barksdales 
with his brigade of Mississippians in the town, and along 
the edge of the river to impede their progress as long as 
they could when the Yanks began to lay his pontoon to 
cross. From our position we could hear more or less can- 
nonading every day, in the direction of Fredericksburg, 
and about the 10th of December we received orders to cook 
three day's rations, and be ready to move at a moment's 
notice. We knew something was going to happen pretty 
soon, as orders of that kind was always a prelude to a 
battle or a long march. It was said that Burnside had a 
powerful artillery force attached to his army, of which no 
less than one hundred and forty guns, overlooked the town 
of Fredericksburg, and commanded the course of the river 
and the opposite bank. The corporate authorities had been 



158 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

summoned to surrender the city with a threat that in case 
of refusal the city would be bombarded at a certain hour 
the next day. The women and children began at once to 
leave their homes, carrying with them only what they 
could on their backs. The bombardment did not take place 
at that time. At early dawn on the 11th, our signal guns 
announced that the enemy was in motion. Some time early 
in the morning he commenced to lay two pontoons, one op- 
posite the city and the other about one and a quarter miles 
below, near the mouth of a little creek called Deep Run. 
From an early hour until 4 P. M. our troops that had been 
stationed to resist, sheltered themselves behind the houses 
on the river bank, and repelled several efforts of the enemy 
to lay his bridge opposite the town, driving them back with 
great slaughter. At the lower place there was no protec- 
tion for our men, and they could only keep up an annoying 
fire from whatever protection they could find, and for a 
moment the enemy retired. Then they turned loose not 
less than one hundred guns upon the city. Houses fell, 
timbers crashed, dust rose from brick houses, flames from 
the burinig buildings ascended, while there poured out a 
stream of unlucky citizens who had remained too long. 
Our troops, unable to withstand the fire of the batteries, 
and a superior force of the enemy's infantry that lined the 
banks on the other side, were withdrawn and left it free 
for the Yankees to cross and come on. They began at 
once to lay their bridges, and when completed they sent 
up a cheer and begun to cross., General Lee had accom- 
plished his design in delaying them, until he could concen- 
trate his forces. Burnside, availing himself of the dense 
fog on the river, continued without molestation to cross 
his army over. It taken nearly all day of the 12th, and 
late in the evening when he had formed his line, he fell 
along Lee's front, only to find him in compact lines ready 
to receive him. While all these things were taking place 
at Fredericksburg, our corps was on the march to take our 
place in line. A. P. Hill had preceeded us, and his divis- 
ions had been placed on Longstreet's right and extended 
to Hamilton's crossing on the railroad. Our division, com- 
manded by General Early, and Jackson's old division, com- 
posed Jackson's second line, while D. H. Hill's Division 
was our reserve. This was our formation when we arrived 
on the A. M. of the 13th. Jackson had numerous batteries 
posted all along his front so that he could fire on their ad- 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 159 

vancing columns whenever they attempted an advance on 
his line. Early in the morning, the plain between our po- 
sition and the river where the Federal army lay in great 
force was enveloped in fog, and it was under cover of this 
fog that he formed his three grand divisions for assault. 
Only occasionally in the morning part of the day could his 
lines be seen in consequence of the dense fog, but all the 
while loud commands could be heard on the plain that in- 
dicated that troops were marching and counter-marching, 
forming to advance. All was feverish with expectation. 
Between nine and ten o'clock the sun lifted the foggy veil 
from the valley and there stood the Yankee army in plain 
view just ready to advance. Our batteries at once, from 
the left to the right (where we was) began their murder- 
ous work upon the long lines of their densely crowded in- 
fantry that occupied the level plain between us and the 
river. More than a hundred pieces, and some of large 
calibre, was turned loose upon our position under which 
their infantry advanced and assaulted Longstreet's po- 
sition with great determination, but was repulsed with 
great slaughter. Their attacks upon Longstreet was re- 
peated, after redoubling their forces, but the last assault 
was attended with no more success than the first. While 
these attacks were going on he extended his left far beyond 
Jackson's right, and began to make preparations to attack 
Jackson in front and on his right flank. J. E. B. Stuart, 
with his fine division of cavalry, and the gallant Maj. John 
Pelham who commanded the Stuart Horse Artillery, pro- 
tected our right so they could not reach our flank and had 
to assault us directly in front. Sumner, who commanded 
the right grand division, and Hooker the center, had met 
with such slaughter that any further attempt upon Long- 
street was abandoned, and now it was up to Franklin to 
attack Jackson with the left grand division. My brigade 
was commanded by Col. R. F. Hoke of North Carolina, and 
was directly in the rear of Gen. Maxey Gregg's Brigade of 
South Carolinians, were attacked with such overwhelming 
numbers that caused them to fall back, and in General 
Gregg's effort to rally his men he was shot and killed al- 
most instantly; this caused some confusion, but they never 
broke but kept falling back, contesting every inch of ground 
the advancing enemy gained. Colonel Hoke called us to 
attention, and ordered us to fix bayonets. A perfect stream 
of wounded was passing to our rear. The firing in front 



160 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

was of the heaviest kind. The cheers of the advancing 
Yankees could be plainly heard. They were following and 
crowding the South Carolinians with perfect joy, but poor 
fellows, they did not know what they were soon to meet. 
Capt. W. C. Gates (Now General Gates), was in command 
of my regiment, and was eager to order an advance but 
had to wait until Colonel Hoke ordered. When everything 
got right, Hoke ordered us forward, with orders not to fire 
until we had passed our men in front. We soon came upon 
them when we halted and was ordered to fire, and immedi- 
ately we raised the "Rebel Yell" and rushed on to the 
Yankees with the bayonet. They could not stand. They 
were not expecting such a deadly volley. They broke and 
we after them down the hill to the cut in the railroad where 
we overhauled a goodly number of them crouched down, 
waving white handkerchiefs to surrender. Gur troops on 
the right and left charged simultaneous with us, and had 
the same success. The railroad made a curve at this place 
and as far as I could see to the right and left there were 
Yankees and our men all mixed up together. The South 
Carolinians had killed and wounded a great many when 
they advanced upon them, and they were lying scattered 
about, some beyond the railroad. We were ordered to halt, 
after we had crossed over the railroad. The Yankees went 
to the rear in a hurry. I believe they were really anxious 
to get out of it. Captain Gates ordered us back to the rail- 
road and there we remained awaiting orders. There was 
a powerful army just in front, and we made ready to meet 
an attack from them. Gur artillery just in our rear, com- 
manded by the youngest artillery officer in Lee's army, was 
dealing destruction to their infantry all the time. Their 
seige guns from Stafford Heights tried in vain to silence 
him. This was the only assault made upon us that even- 
ing, and dark coming on, the firing ceased "except now and 
then a stray picket." There was a little broom sage in our 
front and the fire from the enemy's bombs had set it on fire 
and several of the wounded Yankees were unable to get 
away, and the blazing straw swept over them like a hurri- 
cane. Those that were able fought the flames manfully 
with their caps, and those that were not able to fight was 
considerably singed. Cruelty to their own men. About 
dark we received orders to lay off everything except our 
canteens and cartridge boxes, load and fix bayonets, and 
be ready to move at a moment's notice. What does all this 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 161 

mean? It was soon reported that we were going to charge 
the Yankees. We were not to speak a word and was to be 
preceded by our artillery which was to be drawn by hand. 
I had seen what was in front before it became dark, and in 
my imagination I conceded it to be a hazarduous under- 
taking. I had been in one night fight over at Manassas 
which satisfied me, and somehow I had a peculiar horror 
for night fighting, and could picture in my imagination the 
most horrible things. It was "Stonewall" Jackson's plan 
to drive them into the river and doubtless we would have 
succeeded if General Lee had not opposed it. General Lee 
thought that they would surely attack him the next day, 
and he did not want to lose his advantage by riskmg a 
night attack. The order was counter-manded, and I was 
detailed to go on vidette. I was told to advance out in 
front about twenty-five yards, and there watch until I was 
relieved. I knew by going that far out I would be near 
the Yankees. It was dark, except the star-light. I did 
not know then that any one else from the regiment had 
been sent out, but I afterwards ascertained that similar 
details had been made from each company. I crawled as 
low as I could in the scattering broom sage as far as I 
thought I was ordered to go. I kept looking back to see if 
I could how far I was out. I was in constant dread for 
♦ fear I would crawl into the Yankee lines, for I knew they 
were nigh, and I had to be cautious. When I decided that 
I was far enough out I halted and crouched down until I 
could just look above the top of the straw. I was not there 
long before I discovered something dark just ahead of me 
lying on the ground. I decided that it was a Yankee lying 
there in silence to take me in. I cocked my gun, and took 
position to shoot at the first word or movement that might 
be done. I sat and watched for a minute or more without 
discovering any movement from whatever it was. I had a 
thousand thoughts in a minute. I would look back ^- 
casionally. I was not going to surrender without a difii- 
culty. I eased up a little nearer, near enough that I 
punched him gently with my bayonet, then it was that I 
ascertained that it was a dead Yankee that had been killed 
about four hours. I eased up to where I could lay my 
hands on him. The thought struck me to rifle his pockets, 
and take off his shoes, but upon examination I found his 
pockets wrong side out, and his shoes gone. He had been 
robbed by his own people. There I sat beside my dead 



—11 



162 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

enemy in the dark, one who had lost his life in trying to 
subdue a people who asked for nothing more than "Equality 
in the Union, or Independence out of it." While there, 
meditating over our condition, the thought entered my 
mind that neither our parents, kindred or friends at home, 
could draw the picture in their imaginations of our con- 
dition and situation at that time. Nothing but the "All 
Seeing Eye" could do it. I was near enough to the Yankees 
to hear them cough and clear up their throats. We had 
no orders to shoot unless they advanced. There was 
wounded Yankees lying between our lines sending up the 
most pitiful cries for help I ever heard. Some were calling 
for water, some calling the names of his friends, but none 
answered or went to their relief. Neither side could help. 
The night was cold and there is no telling how some of 
them suffered. Some of them may have died during the 
night by freezing. 'Twas here that I heard the Masonic 
word of distress given, but I did not know what it's mean- 
ing was then. Such was the condition in our front on the 
night of the 13th of December, 1862. We fought the bri- 
gade of the Pennsylvania Reserves; one young fellow that 
belonged to the 13th Pennsylvania lay wounded at the rail 
road and it was from him that I got my information from 
as to what troops. I remained out on post about two 
hours, when I was relieved by a man of another regiment 
which had come down to relieve ours. I went back to my 
command, and we soon after moved out quietly to the rear, 
about two hundred yards and after rectifying our line we 
were ordered to rest. It was after midnight, cold and 
damp. We were not allowed to build fires and the only 
way to keep warm was to huddle together. This we did, 
and slept as best we could 'till daylight, when we were 
aroused and put in shape to receive the attack that was ex- 
pected to be made. When night closed in the shattered 
masses of the enemy took refuge in the city, leaving their 
dead and wounded scattered all over the battlefield. The 
Yankee army was now at an appalling extremity, crowded 
in the city with a river in their rear, and I always thought 
that if we had crowded them that night according to Jack- 
son's plan we would have been successful. It was said 
that General Lee candidly confessed his error in not order- 
ing the attack as Jackson had suggested, and gave as a 
reason that the attack on the 13th had been so easily re- 
pulsed, and by so small a portion of his army, that he did 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 163 

not suppose that the enemy would limit his effort to one 
attempt and preferred to wait for another attack. It 
would have been a suicidal policy for us to have advanced 
on them in the day time, for they had at least one hundred 
guns planted on Stafford Heights on the opposite side of 
the river, that commanded the entire battle-field. We lay 
all the day of the 14th in the rear, expecting to be called 
into action at any time. There was no demonstration 
made by the enemy that day, and each army lay still, and 
only sharpshooting and an occasional shelling was indulged 
in during the day. The 15th passed off quietly without an 
attack. We were necessarily ignorant of the extent to 
which the Yankee army had suffered, and was only made 
known to us when on the morning of the 16th we found 
that he had availed themselves of the darkness of the night 
and the prevailance of a violent storm of rain and wind to 
recross the river. A great victory had been achieved by 
us with the small loss to that of the Yankee's, and with this 
engagement ended active operations of both armies during 
that year, and each commander began to take positions 
to go into winter quarters, with the Rappahannock River 
intervening. Our corps was moved down the river about 
twelve miles, where we went into winter quarters and 
there remained until my brigade was broken up, and each 
regiment was transferred to other brigades composed of 
troops from the same States. I don't mean to say that the 
organization of the brigade was completely destroyed. 
My regiment, the 15th Alabama, was transferred to Law's 
Alabama Brigade in Hood's Division, Longstreet's Corps. 
Another regiment from another State took our place, and 
Colonel Hoke of the 21st North Carolina was promoted 
to command it. Law's Brigade was composed of the 4th, 
15th, 44th, 47th and 48th Alabama regiments, and when 
we broke up from our old brigade, which was Trimble's, 
we marched back up toward Fredericksburg, going into 
winter quarters where some other troops had moved from. 
We were sorry to leave our old comrades, for we had gain- 
ed an envious reputation while together, and we did not 
know what kind of metal we were going to be attached to, 
but we found them all O.K. Now, kind friend, with the 
battle of Fredericksburg ended my career under the im- 
mortal "Stonewall" Jackson and the next two years of my 
service was in Longstreet's Corps from here to Appomat- 



164 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 



tox. Many were the battles and skirmishes engaged in 
before the end came, the 9th of April, 1865, of which I 
will undertake to tell in the next volume, should life last 
to write it. 




RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 165 



PART SECOND 



CHAPTER I 

REMINENCES OF AN OLD VETERAN OF THE 15TH 
ALABAMA REGIMENT, LAW'S BRIGADE, HOOD'S 
DIVISION, LONGSTREET'S CORPS, FROM 
FREDERICKSBURG, VA., TO APPOMAT- 
TOX COURT HOUSE. 

Kind Friend: 

It has been two years since I finished my narrative of 
events while under "Stonewall" Jackson, and as I have 
been spared to nearly see my 64th birthday, I assume the 
arduous task of telling only a part of my service in Long- 
street's Corps from Fredericksburg to Appomattox, and 
this will be from memory, therefore it will be replete of 
many things that occurred. My regiment, the 15th Ala- 
bama was transferred from Trimble's Brigade, Ewell's Di- 
vision, 2nd Corps, (Jackson's) to Law's Alabama Brigade, 
Hood's Division, Longstreet's 1st Corps, A. N. Virginia, 
some time in January, 1863. We were sorry to separate 
from our old comrades and have to fight under a new com- 
mander. We were greatly attached to "Stonewall" Jack- 
son, for he had never known defeat, but the law requiring 
State troops to be brigaded together had to be obeyed, and 
we bid farewell to our old brigade and marched to take 
our place in Law's Alabama Brigade. We had constructed 
comfortable winter quarters, and we thought it a hardship 
to leave them not knowing that we would find any in our 
new position, but when we arrived at our new command 
we were assigned to a position that had been occupied by 
another regiment that had been transferred to another com- 
mand. They had constructed rude huts as we had done, 
and had to give them up to be occupied by other troops. 
At that time there was a general moving among the troops 
for the law for brigading the troops applied to all the 



166 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

States as well as Alabama. I don't suppose that any regi- 
ment experienced any inconvenience by having to leave 
their quarters, and going to others, for the whole army had 
gone into winter quarters and had built huts as a protec- 
tion from the cold wind, rain and snow, and I think the 
Yankee army had done the same thing. As well as I re- 
member the weather was intensely cold, and snow was on 
the ground four or five inches deep. Our camp was on 
Maryea's Heights, near the battle-ground of the 13th of 
December, on the left of General Lee's army. The timber 
had been cut away and we were in plain view of the city of 
Fredericksburg, two miles away, with the open plain ex- 
tending to the city. This plain was occupied by the two 
grand divisions of Burnside's army. The right was com- 
manded by General Sumner, fronting Longstreet, the left 
commanded by General Franklin, fronting Jackson. It was 
Hooker's Division of Sumner's Corps that made such a des- 
perate and determined assault on a part of Longstreet's 
forces, which resulted so disastrously to what was after- 
wards known by us to be the ''Irish Brigade," commanded 
by Brigadier General Maher, an Irishman. It was said 
that their attack was resolute and determined, causing 
such a loss that there was not enough left to organize any 
more. Their brigadier was killed and nearly all the other 
officers. It was Cobbs' Georgians that these Irish Yankees 
were butting against, which resulted in putting them out 
of business the balance of the war. It was this assault 
that the gallant Brigadier General Thomas R. R. Cobb of 
Georgia was killed. No truer patriot ever drew blade 
than he in defense of the South. The position of Cobbs' 
Brigade was well nigh impregnable, and could be held 
against great odds. Such was the opinion of General 
Hooker, when General Burnside called him into council the 
night after the battle. It was said that they were dis- 
cussing the propriety of renewing the attack the next 
morning, when General Hooker expressed his doubts as to 
his ability to accomplish anything, as it would only add a 
greater slaughter of his men and vigorously protested 
against a renewal. With this protest offered by General 
Hooker, General Burnisde decided to withdraw, which he 
did, greatly to the disappointment of General Lee. Pardon 
the disgression. I will now return to our doings in camp. 
I said the snow was four or five inches deep, yes; and it 
frozed over, and remained so for several days. We soon 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 167 

became reconciled, and applied ourselves to the new order 
of things that the change had brought about. Those of us 
who liked the sport of snow-fighting fell in with the bal- 
ance of the division and made a vigorous attack on McLaws 
Division. Our division was commanded by Colonel Little 
of a Georgia regiment. I don't know who commanded Mc- 
Laws' Division, but it was a colonel. He and Little were 
on horses, and it's useless to try to tell how severely they 
were pelted. It was a sport that I enjoyed although I 
would be roughly handled at times, occasionally some great 
big Georgian would down me, and get astride of me, and 
would fairly bank the snow in my face, and around my 
neck. I would hollow for help, and if none came the fel- 
low would get sorry for me and let me up, when I would 
begin pelting away at some one, trying to retaliate for the 
treatment I had just received. I don't thing if I was to say 
that there was three thousand engaging in that snow-fight 
I would be exagerating. Hood's Division, vs. McLaws . 
There were small engagements every day between regi- 
ments, and sometimes brigades, as long as the snow lay on 
the ground. I was worsted pretty badly at times, but sum- 
ming all up, I guess I come out as well if not better than a 
great many others. In a few days the snow melted and 
the ground became to be slush and remained so until a 
cold North wind would come and dry off everything, when 
camp would be pleasant. A part of the time while we 
were at this camp, late at evening we could look away 
North beyoud Fredericksburg and across the Rappahan- 
nock River over in Yankeedom, and see Prof. Low's bal- 
loon with a man in it, overlooking our army. He was too 
far off to be reached with a shot from our cannon. At last 
it came our company's time to go on picket, to be gone one 
day and night. We had to go down on the Rappahannock 
below Fredericksburg, near where the Mattaponix creek 
empties into the river. We relieved a company that had 
been there twenty-four hours, occupying the same quarters 
the did, which was a large brick dwelling house which had 
been deserted by its occupants on the approach of Frank- 
lin's Corps about the 12th of December, for it was near 
this house that he laid his pontoons and crossed over, oc- 
cupying the left of Burnside's army. At this time the 
weather had moderated so as not to be unpleasant. There 
were only three post to keep up, and the vidette would only 
have to remain on post two hours, consequently he would 



168 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

not suffer with cold before he was relieved. Those of us 
that did not have to go on duty, would pass the time off 
most pleasantly by singing- old time sacred music songs, 
while others would be patting and dancing. The house 
was large enough so all these things could go on at once, 
and one would not disturb the other. Our officers enjoyed 
the fun as w^ell as the men. The Yankees had their picket 
post on the other side of the river opposite to ours. We 
were only sent to guard against any sudden attempt that 
they might make to lay their pontoons and recross. We 
were not allowed to shoot at them, nor have any communi- 
cation with them whatever. From four to six A. M. it came 
my time as corporal to go with three men to relieve the 
three that had been on from two to four. After I had went 
the rounds I returned to quarters and when the streaks of 
day began to light up in the East I sauntered off up the 
river a short way, and took my seat on the trunk of a small 
oak that had canted over by the roots near the edge of the 
water. The bank in my rear hid me from view. The 
river at this place was so narrow that by talking a little 
loud we could understand each other. When it got light 
enough to distinguish objects on the other side a Yankee 
emerged from the bushes that skirted the outer edge of a 
sand bar, he must to have seen me as he came down to the 
water's edge, and began bathing his face and hands. When 
he rose he looked over at me, and in a subdued tone said, 
"Good morning, Johnnie." I nodded to him. Continuing, 
he says, "Johnnie, have you got any sugar and coffe over 
there?" I shook my head. Continuing, "Have you got 
any tobacco?" I nodded yes. He then said, "If you will 
send me over a plug of tobacco, I will send you over a cargo 
of sugar and coffee." I nodded all right. He stepped back 
a few steps and picked up a piece of plank ten inches wide 
and about two feet long, sat down on the sand and began 
doing something, I could not tell what, but I afterwards 
found out. He had bored three holes, one at each end and 
one in the middle, he did this with his pocket knife. He 
set up three little sticks, in these holes and put pieces of 
newspaper tied with strings on them, which imitated a 
three-master schooner, the paper answering for sails. He 
was but a few minutes at it, and when he finished he put a 
sack of ground coffee about six inches long, mixed and pro- 
portioned with sugar just right to sweeten any quantity 
you would like to make, on the little craft and he pushed 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 169 

her from shore. I sat and watched the little craft with a 
great deal of anxiety, for I began to get uneasy for fear I 
would be caught by the officers. It was curious to see how 
it would tack in different directions, and ripple along on 
the small waves, all the while drawing nearer to my side 
of the river. It finally landed about thirty yards below. 
I was ready to unload the ship and did, without asking the 
permission of a government officer. I rolled up a plug of 
tobacco in a copy of the Richmond Examiner and put it on 
board. He motioned to me to go above and shove it off ; I 
did as directed and in a few minutes it landed below him. 
He was proud and so was I. The paper that I sent him 
had a scathing rebuke to the U. S. government for enlist- 
ing negroes to fight us Southerners. I had marked the ar- 
ticle, and it caught his eye as soon as he opened it. He read 
about a minute and says, "Pretty good." About that time 
some of his friends called him and told him that the officer 
of the day was coming and that he had better get away 
from there. With this notice, he rose up, and taking a 
handful of cartridges from his box, threw them into the 
water, looking at me he said, "Don't you wish you was at 
home this morning?" I nodded yes. He hurried off and 
was soon lost to sight and I sauntered back to quarters 
feeling shy with my sack of sugar and coffee. I did not 
use any of it until I returned to camp, and then I kept it a 
secret from all except my mess-mates. I always thought 
if I and that fellow ever met and recognized each other 
he would have offered his hand as a token of friendship for 
his acts proved to me that his heart was not in the war, 
and he was in it only by the force of circumstances. 
The celebrated Texas brigade belonged to Hood's Division, 
and I had several acquaintances in the 1st and 5th Texas 
that I had not seen since June, '62. I visited them and 
found but few of them there, some had been killed and 
others permanently disabled since last I saw them. These 
were boys that left Henry County with their parents to 
make their homes in Texas several years before the war 
commenced, and I was glad to meet them. As well as I re- 
member it was some time in the early part of February 
that we had to abandon our winter quarters and march with 
the division in the direction of Richmond. It seems to me 
now that we were on the march two days. We marched 
through Richmond, and went into camp about three miles 
South of the city, on the Petersburg road. It was reported 



170 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

that General Lee apprehended an attack upon Richmond 
via of Petersburg, and we were in position to repel any as- 
sault that might be made from that direction, and to be 
nearer our depot of supplies. About sundown, Jackson, 
Ward, myself and Lieut. Brainard started back to Richmond 
The lieutenant was our passport to pass us over the bridge 
that spanned the James river. There were guards stationed 
at each end, and all the lieutenant had to do was to show his 
stripes, and that was enough to pass us along with him. 
It was a dark, cold, cloudy night threatenting snow. We 
went into a theatre and remained about two hours, and 
when we came out everywhere was covered in snow and 
it still snowing heavily. We strated back to camp and af- 
ter crossing the river and passing through Manchester, we 
were in the broad road. The snow had so completely cov- 
ered the ground that every where looked like a road, until 
we began to come to a fence on each side, but until then, 
one or the other of us would miss our way, and go into a 
ditch nearly waist deep. When we arrived at camp some 
of the boys were up standing around a fire with their oil 
cloths spread over their shoulders. They were in a bad 
humor, and said things that I will not undertake to repeat 
here. That was one of the trials of the life of a soldier 
that we frequently encountered after that. The question 
with me was, what am I to do. Snow all over the ground, 
and nowhere to lie down. I was tired enough just to pile 
down anywhere. I could see little mounds about covered 
with snow. It was two, sometimes three men would be 
covered up with their blankets and oil cloths, all covered 
with snow under there sleeping soundly. I called for my 
bed fellow and he answered several yards away. I had 
some difficulty in reaching him in avoiding stepping on, and 
blundering over some one that was covered up and asleep, 
everything looked level after I left the fire. I found my mate 
and eased under the blankets with him, and I was soon 
sound asleep. When I woke up the next morning I could 
look at the little mounds and see a little volume of smoke 
ascending from the heads of each, caused by the breath of 
each one as he breathed through the snow. After awhile 
we rose, shook our blankets and brushed away the snow, 
gathered some dry brush and sticks around and went to 
building fires preparatory to cooking breakfast. This was 
generally done through the whole camp, and by the middle 
of the afternoon the snow had disappeared only in 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 171 

shady places. We remained here a few days looking and 
expecting all the time for something to turn up. All at 
once, one day we received orders to draw two days rations, 
cook them, and be ready to move at a moment's warning. 
We hardly got done cooking before the drum beat for us to 
fall into ranks. Colonel Gates formed the regiment and 
we took our place in line with the brigade, and it was not 
long before we was in what seemed to us, as a forced march 
back in the direction of Richmond. We passed through 
hurriedly, and took the road that lead out toward a little 
town called Ashland, some twenty miles away. We arrived 
in its neighborhood about dark and went into camp. The 
next morning we fell in again and retraced our steps. The 
dirt road was all slush and the marching was extremely 
bad. After awhile we came to a railroad that led to Rich- 
mond and General Hood ordered the division on to it. Then 
it was a short step, and a long step the balance of the way 
until we struck the paved streets of Richmond. We passed 
right through, and moving again on the railroads towards 
Petersburg. After marching ten or twelve miles we went 
into camp on the right side of the railroad, camping in a 
large body of oaky woods minus of any undergrowth. We 
afterwards learned that the forced march out to Ashland 
was made to be in striking distance to aid General Lee at 
Fredericksburg, should the enemy attempt to recross again, 
which General Lee had reason to believe that he was mak- 
ing preparations to do, but it proved to be a false alarm 
and we were ordered back. We remained in this camp 
pretty much all the month of March, and about the first of 
April we were ordered to Suffolk. We marched through 
the city of Petersburg and took what they called the Jerusa- 
lem plank road. This was good marching as far as the 
plank lasted. As well as I remember they lasted until we 
came to a small village called Jerusalem, near a small river 
called Black Water. We were three or four days on this 
march, and when within a few miles of Suffolk our advanced 
guard encountered the outpost of the garrison of Suffolk. 
It resulted in a running fight then by our advance, until 
they reached the environments of the city. We approached 
as near as we could on one side, and formed a long line 
around all of one side, and sharp-shooting was the order 
of the day on through the month of April. That was a 
sport that I was fond of (If you call it sport), and I could 
indulge in it every day. One day I shot at a Yankee stand- 



172 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

ing on his breast-works, he hollowed back at me, "You shot 
too high." The next shot I lowered my sights and fired, 
he never told me any more of the range of my bullet. C. L. 
Renfroe, who now resides in Marshall, Texas, was behind 
a big pine log with me, and is a witness to the incident. 
Not long since, in our correspondence he reminded me of 
the incident, a circumstance that I had long forgotten until 
he mentioned it. I made some very narrow escapes some- 
times. I would have close calls by bullets from the Yankee 
pickets. Several of our regiment was killed and wounded 
while here. I could not see, then, the object in sending our 
division off down there, but I afterwards learned that that 
country was likely to be run over with the Yankees, and it 
was the object of our commissary department to gather the 
supplies for the army before the Yankees could pillage the 
country, which they soon would have done had it not been 
for the arrival of Hood's Division. We were as a guard 
for our wagon trains and I suppose there were an immense 
amount of supplies collected and sent to a railroad that came 
down that way from Petersburg. We remained a few days 
in our position that we took when we first arrived. We 
moved around what seems to me now on the North side of 
the town, and immediately entrenched ourselves. Our 
breastworks were not very strong, but strong enough with 
other advantages that we had to make us feel secure. We 
invited attack, but could never draw the Yankees beyond 
their picket line. Firing was going on somewhere on the 
line of the division nearly all the time. It become to be 
monotonous and was hardly noticed. One evening, Cap- 
tain John Cousins of General Law's staff called for volun- 
teers to go with him at night to undertake to capture a 
small steam boat that lay in the Nansamond River below 
Suffolk. The river was narrow and the boat was tied up 
on our side. Cousins had spied out the route where as he 
thought it could be captured by making a sudden dash upon 
it. Some twenty-five or thirty from the brigade had volun- 
teered to go with him. I obtained permission from Lieut. 
C. V. Morris who was at that time in command of the com- 
pany to go with him, and according to an understanding 
we assembled at Law's headquarters about dark. Here the 
Captain give instructions haw he wanted us to act. Getting 
through, we started off, not allowed to speak to each other. 
When we arrived at a certain point he halted us, and had 
us to get down on our knees in single rank, that being done 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 173 

we began to crawl, on one hand, and knees for we had our 
gun in the other, and could not use but one hand. It seemed 
to me that we crawled at least half a mile, sometimes in 
briars and bushes and occasionally a gulley would have to 
be crossed. We had got near enough to the boat to see the 
lights and to hear the bells ring. We halted, and lay flat 
on the ground for a considerable time. I could not imagine 
the cause of delay, but I afterwards learned that our leader 
had to do some reconoitering before we could proceed fur- 
ther. I heard the sentinel hollow out twelve o'clock and all 
right. After a considerable lapse of time our leader came 
crawling down the line ordering us to about face and move 
off in the direction from whence we came. The under- 
taking was a failure, and we went back to camp. The 
captain explained to us that the boat was too well guarded 
for us to make the attempt to capture it. In 1894 when the 
Confederate Veteran Reunion was at Birmingham, I met 
him for the first time after the war. I made myself known 
to him and in our conversation I mentioned the incident. 
"Oh yes! I now remember," said he. "I had forgotten it 
long ago." He smiled and said, "Well Mc you boys didn't 
know how near we all came to being captured that night." 
I replied no, I didn't know anything about it. "Well," said 
he, "we were nearly surrounded when I ordered a retrogade 
movem.ent." The fact was that some deserter that knew of 
the undertaking had informed the Yankees of it, and they 
made preparations to take us in. I would have volunteered 
to go with Cousins anywhere, for he was a man of courage 
and fine judgment, and a noted scout. He was an English- 
man by birth and education, and a man of note in the bri- 
gade. We all called him Law's wild man, on account of the 
dress he wore, and manner in which he wore his hair. He 
was a strange looking man altogether from any one that I 
had ever seen. He resides at Glenn Allen, Va. A few days 
before we left Suffolk he said something that give offense 
to Colonel Connelly of the fifty-fifth North Carolina regi- 
ment, and he asked Cousins for a retraction. Cousins re- 
fused and the colonel challenged him for a duel. Cousins 
promptly accepted, and the colonel mounted his horse and 
rode away. Major Belo volunteer to take the colonel's 
place, and came over and informed Cousins that he would 
take the fight off the hands of Colonel Connelly. Cousins 
told him all right, and agreed to use Mississippi rifles at 
forty yards. Their seconds arranged for the timiC and place, 



174 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

and the next morning they met and everything being ar- 
ranged according to the ''Law Duels" the word was given. 
They both fired and the major was seen to wince a little, 
Cousins stood erect, folded his arms and remarked to the 
major that they were doing d — n bad shooting. The major 
was snicked a little about the neck and blood was seen to 
trickle down his breast when a parley between the friends 
of each commenced and the matter was amicably adjusted. 
I only heard the guns, but my captain (Gates) was a wit- 
ness. About the first of May General Longstreet received 
an urgent order to proceed at once to the relief of Lee on 
the Rappahannock. The foraging teams were out and 
Longstreet delayed his move until the next day, but in the 
mean time for the purpose of holding us there the Yankees 
made a heavy attack with their skirmish line all along our 
lines. Their loss was considerable, as we fought under 
cover. Some time during the night we abandoned our po- 
sition and moved hurriedly to Ivor Station on the railroad. 
The march was extremely tiresome on account of the deep 
sand. That part of Virginia is a low flat piney woods 
country, land very poor with bad water. We reached the 
station about one o'clock, P. M. The sun shone brightly, 
no breeze stirring, with the heavy sand, and without cool 
water the march became necessarily slow before we reached 
the train. There was a great deal of straggling done, men 
sick and faint, fell out of ranks and flanked off to one side 
to hunt water, and I was one of them. I flanked off through 
the woods in search of a house, and after going half a mile 
I found a house with only women and children as its occu- 
pants. I asked for water. They had none at the house 
fit to drink and I gave one of the boys three cartridges to 
take my canteen to a spring and fill it. They were good 
Southern people and were willing to relieve my suffering. 
I unbuckled my trappings, pulled off my coat, and lay down 
in the shade of a tree in the yard and waited for the boy to 
bring the water. He came in about half an hour, but the 
distance to the spring was so far and the sun-shine so 
warm, untill the water became warm in the canteen. How- 
ever, I was greatly relieved, rested and cooled off, and I 
was ready to pursue my journey to the depot. They gave 
directions so that I took a near cut, and was not long in 
getting to the train. The company had got aboard of a flat 
and when they saw me coming they hollowed to me to run. 
I would be left. I did run as fast as I could; I was sick 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 175 

and exhausted and was not fit for service then. Pretty 
soon the train pulled out for Petersburg. It ran slow and 
I don't remember exactly at what time we arrived, but it 
was dark, and we were marched out a piece and went into 
camp. It was here that we heard of the heavy fighting 
that was going on at the "Wilderness." The next day we 
marched rapidly for Richmond, and boarded a train there 
at the Fredericksburg depot, and went up the Orange and 
Alexander railroad as far as a station called White Hall, 
where we got off and marched in the direction of the Rapi- 
dan River. The fighting at the "Wilderness" was all over 
with, and Lee had gained a complete victory over the Yan- 
kee army commanded by Joe Hooker, without the aid of 
two strong divisions of Longstreet's Corps. Sadness pre- 
vailed in the 15th Alabama when we heard of the death of 
our former corps commander, "Stonewall" Jackson. This 
was his first battle without us, and the idea prevailed that 
had we have been there it might not have occured, but such 
was fate. The division encamped about two miles of Mor- 
ton's Ford, on the Rapidan, and our regiment was sent there 
with orders to resist at all hazards any attempt the Yankees 
might make to cross at this ford. We were most pleasantly 
situated, and had nothing to do only to guard this ford 
and drill a little. While at this camp I became feeble, and 
began to wane, and some time in June I took the fever. 
There was a grand review of the whole army, and I was 
left in camp, not able to go. I always protested going to 
the hospital, and Dr. Wilson, our assistant surgeon, treated 
me in camp. At this time, the middle of June, there was 
being made great preparations for a grand move some- 
where soon, and the grand review of all the army was a 
preliminary to the move. Lee's army at that time had 
never known defeat, and began to think that it was invin- 
cible. After the battle of the Wilderness (Chancellors- 
ville) and the death of Jackson, Ewell succeeded to the com- 
mand of the Second Corps. The army was well organized 
into three Corps de arme, Longstreet first, Ewell second, 
and A. P. Hill third. I lay for several days in camp under 
my little tent with a scorching fever, and at last, one even- 
ing about the middle of June I was aroused by a man 
bending over me with a paper in his hand with my name 
on it. He told me that I was billed to go to the hospital, 
get up, and get into the ambulance, and he would take me 
to the nearest station, which was Rapidan Station on the 



176 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

Orange and Alexander R. R. I rose up on my elbows and 
discovered that all the tents had been struck and the regi- 
ment gone. I had awaken from my delirum, and then be- 
come cognizant of the fact that I was a sick boy. The fever 
that day had rose to such degree that, that and the medicine 
had caused me to become delirious and I knew nothing 
about the time the regiment fell into line to move. The 
first word I spoke after I had sorter come to, was to ask 
where the regiment had gone. He replied that he did not 
know, as the whole army was on the move. There now. He 
assisted me to and into the ambulance and drove around 
to other little tents to get others that was left sick as I had 
been. After getting his load of sick he drove off to the 
station, arriving there just before sundown. There I saw 
some evidences of a fight that had occured near Brandy 
Station between J. E. B. Stuart's cavalry and the Yankee 
cavalry. I saw a few prisoners, arms and accoutrements 
that had been captured and was then on their way to Rich- 
mond. We did not have to wait long for a train. We were 
assigned to the genral hospital at Lynchburg. All that I 
have written in this chapter has been entirely from memory. 
The dates are only approximately correct. I will tell more 
in the succeeding chapters. 



CHAPTER II 

REMINENCES OF AN OLD VETERAN OF THE 15TH 

ALABAMA REGIMENT, LAW'S BRIGADE, HOOD'S 

DIVISION, LONGSTREET'S CORPS, FROM 

FREDERICKSBURG, VA., TO APPOMATTOX 

COURT HOUSE. 

The train carrying the sick of Hood's Division arrived at 
Lynchburg some time in the night. It was met by the am- 
bulances, and the sick was conveyed out about a mile west 
of the city where there was many buildings constructed for 
a general hospital. The buildings were new, well ventilated 
and surrounded by a large grove of oak trees, where the 
convalescents would resort to, for recreation and rest "un- 
der the shade of the trees." On arrival I was assigned a 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 177 

"hPj"" 1^^,?"^ midway the building. There were two rows 
bunks and an aisle between. It was well lit up with 
candles, and I soon discovered that I was surrounded bv 
sick men from various commands. It was not long before 
1 was visited by the surgeon in charge, accompanied bv a 
man called the ''Hospital Steward." He was a South Ca'ro^ 
Imian and he did everything possible to hold his job. I still 
had fever. The doctor called it camp fever. It was inter- 
mitting, or remitting, sometimes would cool down, and then 
reach to a hundred and four or five degrees. The first 
thing they did was to bathe me all over in cold water and 
Sr "??u^ ^^^,^se of clean underwear. Then came the quin- 

Z\,^ M^- t ^,^'?i^-^^' ^' ^^'^ *h^ Pl^ce that I am to 
die at? Miserable! Miserable! Far away from a loving 
word of sympathy or a caress from the lips of mother or 
lovmg sisters. A touch from no one except from the rude 
hand of a man. These were the thoughts that flitted 
through my mmd while lying prostrate on my bunk. Men 
were dying and being removed to the "dead house" constant- 
Lr^ w Zt^ f fellow that occupied a bunk next to me 
died We talked to each other m the early part of the nie-ht 
and httle did I think that he would die before another sun' 
1 dropped off to sleep, and sometime after midnip-ht I awoke 
and to my surprise they were fixing to carry him out to the 
dead house. In about a week my fever gave way, and I be- 
gan to eat solid food. I regained my strength rapidly and 
was soon able to go down to the shady grove and loll ai^und 
with the other convalescents. In strolling around one day 
I came across Ben Singletary and Ranee Kirkland, men that 
I knew at home. They both were afflicted with bone scurvy 
which afflicted their egs so that they could not march. 
Ihere was a young fellow there that belonged to the 16th 
Mississippi by the name of Bill Couch. I and him soon be- 
came chums and strayed together a good deal after he got 
able to walk. His large toe nails had tucked down and 
wouldn t grow no other way, and the doctor pulled them 
out by the roots with a pair of forceps. Talk about a pain- 
ful operation, that will do to be called one, but he stood it 
like a man and was soon well. The doctor said that was 
the only remedy. I left him there, and never saw or heard 

• ul"lu^^^'"\ ,'^^^^^ ""^^^ ^ yo""^ fellow in mv ward one 
night that had been wounded in the head. The doctors ex 
amined him and found that the ball had hit him square in 
the forehead and came out at the back of his head. They 



—12 



178 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

told him that nothing could be done for him, and that if he 
had any preparations to make, he had better be at it, for he 
could not live. The fellow disagreed with them about that. 
The doctors left him, and went about their business, leaving 
the fellow grumbling because they had no hopes for him. 
He grumbled four or five hours and became loud in his de- 
nunciatory remarks about the doctors. At last the doctors 
cam-e, and told him just to satisfy him they would probe his 
wound, and in doing so, found that the ball had just run 
under the skin over the skull and came out on the other 
side in the back part of his head. There! said the doctor, 
you will be all right in a few days. The fellow replied "By 
G — d, I told you so." The doctors laughed and went on. 
While at this hospital, as well as I remember, it was the 
28th I received a letter from one of my sisters conveying 
the sad intelligence of the death of my father, which occur- 
red on the 23rd. This was sad news to me, for I had a 
great desire to see him, and recount to him the many inci- 
dents of my life as his soldier boy. He was an old soldier 
himself in his boyhood days, and well do I remember how 
interesting his stories would be when he would re- 
late of his thrilling experiences he had with the 
Indians, but fate had decreed otherwise, and I had 
to accept it as the inevitable I was getting along splendid- 
ly, and began to feel like going back to the army, but where 
was it? No one at the hospital knew, if they did they kept 
it a secret. About the first of July the doctor announced 
that all that wanted to go to the army to fall into lines out- 
side the hospital. There were fifty 'or sixty besides myself 
fell in. There were some turned down, and was not allowed 
to go, the doctor pronounced them unable. I was passed 
and told with others to get our belongings and march in 
line down to the depot, where transportation would be ob- 
tained for each of us, and be ready to board the first train 
to Staunton, a beautiful little town at the head of the Shen- 
andoah valley. We did so, and arrived in due time. There 
we found five or six hundred soldiers that had accumulated 
there on their way to the army. We were held there two 
or three days, and with the arrival of each train the crowd 
was augumented to about one thousand. While here we 
learned of the great battle of Gettysburg being fought. 
Having different reports they created no little excitement. 
We were informed that we would have to march as an es- 
cort or guard for a long ammunition train that then was 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 179 

getting ready to start to General Lee's army. We were all 
supplied with a bran new Enfield rifle with cartridge boxes, 
bayonets and forty rounds of ammunition to match. I often 
have thought of the pretty little short Enfield I drew. It 
was made at Salisbury, N. C, and was a dandy. I was 
anxious to try it, but opportunity never offered before I 
had to give it up. About the fifth of July the long ammu- 
nition train drove out onto the pike and we formed in single 
rank on each side. When all was ready, we moved off down 
the pike that leads down the beautiful valley of the Shenan- 
doah towards Winchester, and the Potomac. The distance 
to the latter being one hundred and ten miles. We had 
plenty of rations and the march was only frolic for me, I 
enjoyed it. We were four days making the trip. We left 
the train packed on the Virginia side of the Potomac, op- 
posite Williamsport, in Maryland. I had already met some 
of my company that had been wounded at Gettysburg, but 
they did not know much as to who, and how may was killed 
and wounded, for they left as soon as they were wounded. 
We crossed the Potomac on a pontoon bridge that spanned 
the river below Williamsport. We were partially organized 
and commanded by commissioned officers that were on their 
way back to the army. We marched in the direction of 
Hagerstown. some eight or ten miles from the Potomac, 
when we began to meet some of the army. The oflicers 
could not hold us in line any longer, each man was anxious 
to find his command, and we dispersed in every direction. 
The first man I met that I knew was my old friend, Dick 
Trawick. He was a member of the Henry Greys and be- 
longed to the 6th Alabama. At that time there was a great 
difference in our dress. I was what was called a hispital 
rat, let out with fair skin and clean clothes. Dick was 
barefooted, his pants torn oflF half way to his knees, his 
shirt black and dirty, with half dozen canteens full of water. 
He was detailed to go for water the day before, and his 
command moved off while he was gone, and he got lost off 
from them. When he saw me he hollowed at me and asked 
me if I had seen Rodes' "foot cavalry." I told him no. He 
went his way and I went mine, hunting my command. 
Dick was a good soldier and still lives in Geneva county. 
After wandering about through the different commands, I 
at last found Longstreet's Corps, then Hood's Division, then 
Law's Brigade. After I found the brigade I was not long 
in finding my regiment and company. I reported to my 



180 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

Colonel, W. C. Gates, and from him I learned of the terrible 
battle, and the losses of our regiment and my company. 
My Captain, H. C. Brainard, 1st Lieut. John A. Gates and 
2nd Lieut. B. H. Cody had been killed or mortally wounded. 
Brainard was killed. Gates and Cody mortally wounded, 
from which they died in a few days. The ranks of my old 
company had been so depleted since they left me sick on the 
Rapidan, that it was a mere skeleton. It was sad to me to 
think of some of the boys and to know that I would never 
see them again. My company was commanded by our 3rd 
Lieutenant, T. M. Renfroe, a noble, brave officer. He re- 
counted to me the particulars of the battle and it was noth- 
ing short of a miracle that any escaped. The company was 
without non-commissioned, as well as commissioned offi- 
cers. My colonel called me to his quarters and told me he 
would promote me to be Grderly Sergeant of my company, 
so I began to act at once in that capacity. The army had 
fell back to near the Potomac, and formed line and built 
breastworks. The Yankee army had pursued, and when 
they ascertained that we had halted, they only felt along 
our line with skirmishers to find out our position. They 
formed their line paralel to ours and only skirmished the 
few days we remained there. I have since ascertained that 
General Lee was anxious to be attacked in this position, but 
Meade declined. Gur command shared with him in the 
desire to be attacked, for we felt like we had a position 
that could not be carried by assault, although the Potomac 
was near to our backs, and a defeat at that time and place 
would have been most disastrous. We only had one pon- 
toon across the river to pass the immense wagon train to 
the Virginia side. We invited attack every day but it was 
refused. It was said that Meade's army was so crippled 
at Gettysburg that he would not hazard an attack. Not- 
withstanding, the heavy losses of Lee's army, they had not 
lost its morale. After remaining in position three or four 
days we crossed the river unmolested, and mrached in the 
direction of Winchester. We camped for a few days at 
Bunhill Spring, and then marched on through Winchester 
and took the left hand pike leading to Culpepper Court 
House, crossing the Shenandoah by wading near Front 
Royal. It so happened one day that our regiment was lead- 
ing the advance of the infantry and the Yankee cavalry got 
in our front and run back our cavalry Videttes that was 
preceding the infantry. Colonel Gates threw out Co. "D" 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 181 

as skirmishers and brushed them out of the way, but not 
without the loss of their gallant commander, Captain Head. 
He was a fine officer and his loss was irreparable to his com- 
pany. The whole regiment was sorry that Captain Head 
had been killed. Colonel Gates had him wrapped in a 
blanket, put in an ambulance and conveyed to Culpepper 
Court House and there buried him by the honors of war. 
We camped near the Court House in a fine shady grove, re- 
maining there all the balance of July. I don't remember 
the exact day we moved from there, but it was some time 
in the early part of August when we moved in the direction 
of Fredericksburg, We did not know anything about the 
movements of the Yankee army, and cared less. It was 
reasonable to suppose that J. E. B. Stuart, our great cav- 
alry commander, would keep General Lee informed, and we 
would be moved at the right time and place. We were 
marched down the Fredericksburg pike, crossing the Rapi- 
dan at Morton's Ford, and camped seven or eight miles 
South of Fredericksburg. Since the death of my father 
in June, I wanted to come home and told Colonel Gates if 
he saw any chance to get me a furlough, I would appreciate 
it ; he promised that he would. All through the month of 
August there was nothing doing with us, only moving to 
a new camp occasionally, which was good for our health. 
Some time in the latter part of August General Lee issued 
a general order that one man from each company would be 
granted a furlough for thirty days to go home. This man 
was to be the most meritorious man of the company, and 
was to be selected by the officer commanding the regiment. 
Two applications from each company was to be sent up by 
the officer commanding the company. Lieut. T. M. Renfroe 
was commanding the company and Col. W. C. Gates the reg- 
imxcnt. There was three selected from my company, John 
Shepherd, G. C. Renfroe and myself. The lieutenant would 
not decide what two, from the three, and he proposed to 
us to draw. We agreed, and proceeded to draw when it fell 
to my lot and G. C. Renfroe as the ones to be recommended 
to the Colonel. Renfroe, who was a brother to the lieuten- 
ant, was a transferred man from the Barbour Greys, 5th 
Alabama. I was one of the originals of the company. 
According to orders, our applications was forwarded to the 
colonel and he to decide between Renfroe and myself. Ap- 
plications of a similar character from the other companies 
were flooding the colonel's desk, and he had a job on his 



182 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

hands. Somebody was going to get mad, and cuss the 
colonel for partiality. These were momentous times with 
Renfroe and myself, both waiting the decision of the colonel. 
A day or two passed without any hearing. I was under 
great suspense. I had no claim as to merit, for Renfroe 
had always done his duty and was as good soldier as any- 
body. I had only one claim on Colonel Oates, and that was 
he was my captain when I volunteered and Renfroe was a 
transferred man. What would he do? Which one of us 
would he turn down? That was the question. At last one 
day the orderly call was sounded and Sergeant Lingo went 
to the colonel's quarters. I and Renfroe, and others of the 
company was watching. Who would, and who would not 
get it had been the chief topic for discussion since the appli- 
cations had been forwarded. We see Lingo coming back, 
with a paper in his hand. There was a considerable 
gathering at Lieutenant Renfroe's tent. I kept my dis- 
tance. Lingo handed the paper to Lieutenant Renfroe, he 
glanced over it a moment and read, "Respectfully returned, 
disapproved, W. C. Oates, Colonel commanding." "Here 
Green, here is your application disapproved." "Just as I 
expected," exclaimed Green, "that's what a transferred man 
gets, it matters not how faithful he may have been." He 
poured out vials of wrath on the colonel and the lieutenant, 
his brother, was not at all pleased. My friends were re- 
joicing that I had won the plum. I said nothing in an ex- 
ulting way, but my heart within leaped for joy at the 
thought of going home to see my mother and sisters that 
I had not seen in over two years. The next thing with 
me was, how long will it be before I start? Days and 
nights wore on, I became uneasy, fearful that we would 
have another battle and that I might get wounded or killed. 
These were my thoughts and I was in great suspense again. 
We moved from this camp, camping in a piney grove near 
Hamilton's crossing on the Richmond and Fredericksburg 
R. R. The warm days and nights would pass, and I could 
hear nothing from my furlough. One man from each com- 
pany of the regiment was having the same experienc that 
I was. Couriers to the colonel's tent would come and go, 
but nothing would be said about our furloughs. As well 
as I remember late at night of the tenth of September, the 
orderlies call was sounded, which I promptly attended, and 
when a representative from each company had reported the 
colonel announced that the furloughs had come, and gave 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 183 

orders for the man to go to the commisary and draw three 
day's rations, cook them that night, and be ready to take 
the train the next morning at Hamilton's crossing, where 
transportation would be furnished us to Richmond. The 
colonel then began to call the sergenats from the different 
companies beginning with Company "A" and so on down 
until he came to "G," the letter of my company, when he 
skipped to "H" and so on down to Company "L" the last 
company in the regiment. Well ! I drew long breaths, won- 
dering what was the matter, what had become of my fur- 
lough, I stood still and said nothing. As the furloughs 
would be handed to the sergeants, they would disperse and 
go to their companies. After all had left the colonel in- 
vited me into his tent, and after repeating the orders about 
rations and transportation, he told me he would get from 
General Law an extension of six days on mine if I would 
arrest some deserters from our company, and send them 
back ; of course I gladly accepted that offer. He told me to 
call at his tent the next morning before I left. I went back 
to my company and my mess-mates were ready to assist 
me in getting rations, and helping me to cook them. I was 
ready in time the next morning and called at the colonel's 
tent as I went by. He handed me an order from General 
Law permitting me to stay at home six days after the ex- 
piration of my furlough, which kept me from being mo- 
lested at home by the provost guards, he also gave me some 
letters to deliver to parties at home. I bid him good-bye, 
and with a whole host of others hastened to the depot. 
There I found a great many from my division that was com- 
ing South; Alabamiajis, Georgians, South Carolinians and 
Texans. All of Hood's Division, starting for home, but the 
poor Texans could not cross the Mississippi, and they stop- 
ped along with relatives in other states. We all got trans- 
portation and the long train pulled out for Richmond. Then 
we had to obtain transportation home. We could not leave 
until the next day, and we lay on the beautiful lawn in 
Capitol Square. The guard tried to rout us out but we 
would not be routed, and remained all night. After the 
police found out who we were and our business, no further 
effort was fade to run us out of there. The next morning 
we went hunting for the Quartermaster and the place to get 
our transportation. What we said to the fellow in charge 
had but little effect. Time was precious with us, and we 
was in a hurry. We were told that the office would not 



184 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

open before twelve o'clock; that didn't suit, for that was 
the time for the train to leave for the South. General Hood, 
that was wounded at Gettysburg was there and some of 
the Texans made known to him our condition, and after 
roaring out a few oaths, repaired to the transportation of- 
fice and we all followed. After a few sharp words of com- 
mand from Hood, the Quartermaster increased his clercial 
force and began to grind out our transportation. Mine was 
to Ft. Gaines, Ga., and return. We left that day on time, 
and I had a pleasant trip of three days to the point of des- 
tination; coming through the Carolinas and Georgia, the 
Texans dropped off except those that went up by Lynchburg 
and on into North Alabama and Mississippi. I arrived at 
Ft. Gaines late in the evening, crossed the Chattahoochie on 
a flat and walked out seven miles to Mrs. Tom Knight's, 
v/here they were delighted to entertain a Confederate sol- 
dier. Besides Mrs. Knight there were three grown daugh- 
ters, one son in the war and one too young to go. They 
were strong Southern people, and they were glad for a 
good rebel to stop with them that was fresh from the army. 
I was in twelve miles of home, and I was anxious to move 
on, but they said stay all night, and they would send me 
over to Abbeville the next morning. I consented, but I felt 
rather cramped when I went in to supper. It had been a 
long time since I had sat down to a table for a meal, espec- 
ially with a refined family as they were, and I suffered with 
no little embarrassment, but they did every thing to relieve 
me, and I put on as bold a front as possible. The longer I 
stayed and talked the better I got, and by morning a great 
deal of my timidity had worn off. After breakfast, young 
Knight hitched a horse to a buggy, I told them good-bye, 
and started for Abbeville. I was glad to see my old town 
once more and m.eet some of the old men that was staying 
at home. After resting awhile I set out for home only four 
miles. I met several on the way, and had to stop and talk 
with every one, and lost so much time at this until it was 
late in the evening before I got home. There was a lane 
two hundred yards long down a gradual slant to the old 
homestead. Thin<;^s on every side looked lonely and deso- 
late. I felt sad, for I knew there was one absent that I 
would not meet. I approached slowly wondering how we 
would meet, as I drew near the yard fence one of my sisters 
came in the front yard. I knew her, but she did not recog- 
nize me in some time. I slowed up, my other two sisters 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 185 

and mother came in the front piaza, stopped and looked. 
About that time a little negro boy named Pete came dash- 
ing out at the front gate, and drawing near he turned 

around, calling to Miss Polly, saying its Mas , calling 

me by name. I then advanced quickly to the gate where I 
was soon captured by mother and sisters. No one can imag- 
ine the joy we had in meeting. Caroline, my old nurse 
when I was a baby, came running to meet me, she was as 
proud to see me as mother and sisters. Well, I was at home 
to rest for a short time with mama. It was not long before 
they begin telling me the particulars of father's death, and 
how anxious he was that I might go through the war safe, 
and return home to see him, but fate had decreed other- 
wise. In a day or two, my home coming was known for 
miles around, and the old people and a great many of the 
young people began to drop in to see me. Several came 
making inquiries about their relatives in the army. The 
young boys, and the girls of all ages came to see me, and 
it was not long before I was beseiged by the latter. A 
soldier of my age was a great curiosity and they enjoyed 
hearing my camp stories, I was fresh from the army then, 
and memory good, I was well loaded, and could tell a great 
deal. During my stay at home, I saw all my relatives that 
were living, and had a good time with them. There was a 
little girl in the settlement that had moved into it since I 
had been gone, and some of my people had become so im- 
pressed with her, that they had picked her out for me, and 
had even wrote of her while I was in the army. I was 
anxious to see her and sure enough in a few days I did, and 
she caught me at once, but I never let her know it, for I 
had another girl that I had left behind. I said that this 
strange girl caught me, and to tell you the truth, reader, 
I stayed caught, until the war ended in April 1865, and in 
November following I caught her and she is with me to- 
day. I had been at home some ten or twelve days, when I 
began to make arrangements to carry into effect the in- 
structions I had received from Colonel Gates when I left 
camp for home. 



\ 



186 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 



CHAPTER III 

REMINISCENCES OF AN OLD VETERAN OF THE 15th 
ALABAMA REGIMENT, LAW'S BRIGADE, HOOD'S 
DIVISION, LONGSTREET'S CORPS, FROM 
FREDERICKSBURG, VA. TO APPO- 
MATTOX COURT HOUSE. 

There was a little squad of cavalry stationed in my town, 
commanded by a Lieutenant Boiling. I conferred with him, 
and asked him to go with me and aid me in capturing the 
men that was at home, absent without leave. He readily 
consented, and told me that that was his business, to arrest 
all absentees and return them to camp. We set the day, 
and appointed the place of meeting. Promptly on time he 
with six of his troopers met me at the designated place, 
and we set out for a half-day's ride to the home of the men 
that I was after. I had but little trouble in finding them, 
and met with no resistance when I told them my business. 
I informed them to get ready they would have to go with 
me to Abbeville that night. They complained a little, and 
said they were making preparations to return in a few 
days. That was not satisfactory, as that was not in ac- 
cordance with instructions from headquarters. When they 
fully ascertained that I meant "business" the wail from 
their wives and children began. My heart almost melted 
within for the sorrow that I had for their wives and little 
children. Their entreaties for their husbands and father, 
were enough to move the heart of the Duke of Willington, 
or Bonaparte, the Emperor of France. I had to assume a 
spirit of austerity though without harshness. I endeavored 
to conceal my sympathy and in a plain manner made them 
understand that they had to go voluntarily if they would, 
otherwise forcibly. The fact was they thought they would 
be tried by court marshal for desertion, and be condemned 
to be shot. I succeeded in consoling their wives and chil- 
dren upon that fear, and we soon got ready, bid farewell 
and moved off for Abbeville arriving there about ten o'clock 
at night. I turned them over to Lieut. Boiling with in- 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 187 

structions to send them to their commands as soon as pos- 
sible, for it was a time when every able-bodied man was 
needed at the front, and there was no time for sulking. 
They were sent back to the army through the proper chan- 
nel, and was finally pardoned by an amnesty proclamation 
from President Davis, when they entered immediately on 
duty with the company, and fought well until one of them 
was severely wounded at Fussle's Mill, August 16th, 1864, 
which disabled him from further service. The other de- 
serted, and went to the Yankees one night while on post 
in January, 1865. They both came home, and were re- 
spected citizens in the settlement in which they lived. I 
have no harsh words for them now. They have long since 
crossed over, and all I have to say, "May they rest in peace." 
In a few days after this, news came that a hard battle 
had been fought at Chickamauga, Ga., and that a part of 
Longstreet's Corps had been sent from Virginia to rein- 
force Bragg's army, and was engaged in that battle. This 
was startling news to me and I was inclined to discredit the 
report, for I neither saw nor heard of any preparations be- 
ing made for that move when I left the army only a few 
days before, but in a day or two the report was confirmed, 
and that Hood's division was there, and engaged in the 
battle and that Gen. Hood had lost his leg. This made me 
extremely anxious to hear from my regiment, especially 
my company, for I had a brother-in-law, and some cousins 
in the company that I was deeply interested in their safety. 
In a short time I received word that my Lieutenant, T. M. 
Renfroe, was at home wounded, and wished for me to go 
over to see him. This I did, and found him suffering with 
a fractured elbow. He was lively, and free to talk and 
he gave me a full history of the part taken by the regiment 
and company. The loss of our company was heavy, and 
among the slain was my brother-in-law, Wm. G. Moore. 
This was sad news to me, for I would have to be the one 
to tell my sister when I returned home. My cousins went 
through safe, but several of my comrades that I left in 
camp in Virginia were killed, and others maimed, so that 
it rendered them unfit for further service in the ranks. He 
told me that the corps followed in three days after I left 
camp, so as in other instances, I was fortunate to be ab- 
sent from that battle, as well as that of Gettysburg. A 
kind providence provided. After remaining with him till 
late in the afternoon, I returned to my home where mother 



188 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

and sisters were in waiting- to hear what news I had from 
the battle of Chickamauga. I did not know how to break 
the news to my young widowed sister. When I returned 
I was met at the gate by all of them anxious to hear the 
news from the battle. I could not help from observing a 
look of fear in my sister's countenance, and they detected a 
glimpse of sorrow depicted upon my countenance, "What 
news! What news! have you from the battle." We whipped 
the Yankees, and drove them from off the field back into 
Chattanooga, said I; but not without serious loss to my 
company. Then addressing my sister, I said to her, "Sis, I 
am sorry to have to tell you that your husband, Billie 
Moore, was killed." 0, God! may I never experience just 
such a scene again. Of course I consoled her all I could, 
and the few remaining days of my stay were wrapped in 
sadness and gloom for her, and Ij^is family, that did not live 
far away. This was a sudden check to my joy at home, and 
I longed for the day to arrive when I would take my leave 
for the army. There was no more pleasure at home for 
me as all pleasure had banished, and my home that for a 
few days had been one of joy was now by the cruel hand of 
fate had been turned into a home of weeping and mourn- 
ing. A few days before the expiration of my furlough I 
started back to the army, taking the train at Ft. Gaines, 
Ga., via Macon through Atlanta and on to near Chatta- 
nooga, where I found my command entrenched on the ex- 
treme left of Bragg's army which was comamnded by Lieut. 
Gen. Longstreet. During my absence my company had 
elected our Adjutant, Captain, our First Lieutenant refus- 
ing the honor of promotion. I was his Orderly, having 
been promoted by Col. Gates just after the battle of Gettys- 
burg. I reported to him for duty and entered imm.ediately 
upon duty devolving upon the First Sergeant. I also re- 
ported to Col. Gates, who was proud to see me, and he 
gave me an interesting account of the part played in ac- 
tion of the 15th Alabama Regiment. These were the first 
days of October and we only remained in this position a few 
days when the regiment with the brigade was ordered 
across the Lookout Mountain, taking position in Wills' Val- 
ley, and picketing on the Tennessee River nearly in the rear 
of Chattanooga. While on this duty I had some thrilling 
experience as a scout, making narrow escapes, which I 
will undertake to tell. There were six regular scouts in 
Hood's Division, that carried Whitworth Rifles. They 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 189 

were Texans, Georgians and one Alabamian, and he was 
from the 4th Regiment of Law's Brigade. They came to 
our camp early one morning, and asked permission of Col. 
Gates to allow them to cross over to Williams' Island. This 
island contained one or two hundred acres, and was sur- 
rounded by a split in the Tennessee separating above our 
camp towards Chattanooga and coming together below our 
camp. The man who owned the island was a strong South- 
ern man and the Yankees had a habit of crossing over the 
other prong and going to the old gentleman's house, and 
taking what they pleased, and it was this kind of a party 
that these scouts wanted to meet. I wanted to go with 
them bad. I obtained the consent of my Captain, Wad- 
dell, and Col. Gates and I asked one of the scouts to let 
me take his place. He consented, and turned over to me 
his Whitworth and a 44 revolver. To cross was the next 
thing to do. There was two "dug outs" (or canoes as we 
called them) lying down at the water's edge opposite our 
camp, and as there were only two boats three of us had 
to get in each boat. No sooner done we pushed from shore, 
and the man in the stern with his oar fought the swift 
current manfully, and landed us at the designated spot. 
We went ashore, making as little noise as possible, tieing 
up our little crafts to trees, we went in search for a path 
that would lead us through the thick cane to an opening. 
Sergeant Champion of the 4th Texas, was in com- 
mand and after rambling around awhile, a path was found. 
He formed us in single rank, and enjoined secrecy. "Notice 
Me," was his order. When I wave my left hand around 
move to the left, and when I move my right hand around 
move to the right; if I move my hand quick you move 
quick. Such was his orders, and I don't know if they 
would have been necessary had not it been that I was a 
new man, and needed instructions, for I supposed that 
the other scouts had been with him so long that they un- 
derstood him thoroughly. It did not take me long to catch 
on, and we could be thrown into a skirmish line to the 
right or left by the wave of his hand as if he had given it 
by the word of mouth. After receiving instructions we 
proceeded on slowly, in single rank without even a whis 
per. We had not gone far before we came to an opening 
at the lower end of Mr. Williams' large corn field. Here 
Mr. Williams' son, 14 years old, came to us and the Sea- 
geant got all the information from him that he wanted. He 



190 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

told how many generally came over, and the time of day, 
and where they landed. That was enough. We moved a 
little down toward their place for landing, and took our 
position about two steps a part behind a very large log that 
was resting on another giving it a raise of about a foot 

from the ground. I was on the extreme left next to 

Chandler of the 1st Texas, on my right. I crouched down 
upon my knees and done my watching under the log. Ser- 
geant Champion was twenty yards to the right stationed 
behind a large beech where he could observe everything 
passing. Presently he motioned, look out! I looked to the 
left, and saw a Yankee alone coming in our direction, and 
his line of march threw him on the opposite of the log 
that we were behind. He came slowly along with his gun 
carelessly on his shoulder, not dreaming he was so near 
to a Confederate prison. I watched him, until he passed, 
and gave the nod to Chandler when he all at once rose Up 
within six feet of the Yankee with gun presented, in a low 
tone, told him to cross over the log. The old Yank seemed 
perfectly bewildered and could hardly realize "where he 
was at." He could only see five of us and he made inquiry 
as to our number, but got nothing from us, but told us 
that sixteen were making preparations to cross and if 
that was all the men we had we had better leave from 
there, but we let his suggestion go unheeded, and waited 
for the coming of the others. He was made to understand 
that loud talking would not be tolerated, and what talk- 
ing he did he did it in a subdued tone. He was greatly 
excited as he imagined the most fearful of consequences. 
We were not long in waiting before we heard the chain 
rattling, as they were being pulled out of the canoes to 
make them fast. "Listen," said the Yank, that's them 
now. All was silent, and something soon was to happen. 
Yonder they come, in single rank. I, on my knees watch- 
ing under the log, but there is a high rail fence between 
us, only twenty yards from us. Now what to do? The 
Sergeant shook his head, and motioned silence, let them 
pass; the fence is in our way. So we permitted them to 
pass on without being discovered by them. They went up 
to Mr. Williams' house and moved around in his yard, lit- 
tle thinking that a few Johnnies had their eyes upon 
them. We assembled in a thick place where we could not 
be seen, but were in plain view of them watching every 
man. There was one of them, and a woman took posi- 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 191 

tions opposite each other in a door seemingly for a talk, 
when Sergeant Champion laid his rifle up against a tree, 
and sighted at him, then taking it down, looked around 
and said, "Must I?" I can kill him as dead as h — 1. One 
fellow said no, don't shoot, you will scare that woman to 
death. We were about one hundred and fifty yards from 
them, and the Sergeant said, lets fire on them in the yard, 
and recross the river. They were pretty thick in the yard 
and we took good aim with our Whitworths, and fired and 
we witnessed only a few making a hasty retreat through 
the corn field to the opposite prong of the river. We re- 
treated in good order to where out boats were, and re- 
crossed to our side in safety. We had our Yankee pris- 
oner along, and that made it necessary for four to occupy 
one of the boats. The Sergeant ordered that four of the 
lightest should go in one boat, the heaviest three in the 
other. I and the Yankee were two of the light ones, and 
with two others we came over, but not without experienc- 
ing some trouble. Our boat dipped water and it looked at 
times as if we would sink, but the Yankee was familiar 
with such, and he kept the water bailed out with his 
cap. I was awful scared, the water was deep, swift and 
cold, but I had unbuckled all my accounterments and was 
ready to swim if it became necessary, I thanked God when 
I landed in safety on our side, and promised that I would 
never go on such an expedition again. In a day or two 
there was another expedition organized to cross over in 
the night, but this time I was not one to volunteer for I 
had had enough of Williams' Island. After they had ma- 
tured their plans and had gathered two other boats they 
pushed off about dark for the other side. Everything went 
well until they began to pull the bushes that lined the bank 
on the other side in order to land, and all of a sudden 
Bang! Bang! and the fire from the Yankee guns could be 
seen plainly from our side. The Yanks had discovered our 
crossing place, and had placed a picket there to visit it. 
Fortunately, no one was hurt, and a right about was made 
by the oarsmen, and they came back a wiser set than they 
were when they first started. After they landed Col. Oates 
directed a volley to be fired over the river, after which 
all became "calm and serene" at that place. We had a 
pleasant place to camp, and had no duty to perform, only 
to picket along the river where the Yankees might be ex- 
pected to cross. One of our post was a half mile below 



192 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

our camp and below where the converging streams came 
together. The Yankees had their picket post opposite ours 
and by mutual agreement between the pickets, there was 
no firing done at each other across the river. It became 
my duty one morning to have to carry our pickets their 
day's rations to them. I wended my way along an unob- 
served narrow path at the foot of Raccoon Mountain, until 
I reached the place where the boys were on post. It was 
my first visit down there, and I could not help feeling a 
little shy, not knowing but what I would be shot at from 
across the river if I was seen. There were five on post, 
four privates and a Sergeant, all from my company. After 
delivering the rations and looking around awhile I started 
back to camp. I had a splendid Enfield rifle with plenty 
of ammunition, and I was anxious to try it. When I reach- 
ed an abrupt declivity in the mountain I ascended by going 
from rock to rock, until I reached a place where I could 
overlook the whole of the Yankee camp on the other side. 
I took position behind a large rock that completely hid me 
from the Yankees only when I would peep around to see 
what they were doing. There was their camp in full view, 
their tents up, and squads of them in different places stand- 
ing around a log fire. It was rather cold that morning and 
it looked to me that they were enjoying the warm, barring 
the smoke. All old soldiers who reads this well knows 
what it was to be smoked. I sat there watching their move- 
ments some time wanting to fire on them, but I was afraid, 
fearful that it would be a violation of orders. They were 
about five hundred yards distant, and my gun was amply 
effective that distance, and I at last decided to try them. I 
selected a squad that was standing around a fire as my 
first target. I was considerably above them, and I had a 
fair shot. At the crack of my gun there was old hustling 
to get away, and go into their tents which hid them from 
view. When I would shoot the smoke of my gun would 
be so dense until I could not see whether I had made a hit 
or not. After each round I would fall back in the crevice 
of the rock, and reload. I enjoyed it so well until I became 
so bold as to hollow, "Look out!" and then fire and fall 
back behind the rock and reload. I repeated this half dozen 
times, and it finally got so that I could not see a Yankee 
nowhere. The Yankee pickets down opposite ours made 
complaint to our pickets, and told them if they didn't have 
that firing to cease, they would open on them. They didn't 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 193 

know what it meant, and our Sergeant told them that it 
was a fool that was shooting and was always doing some- 
thing he had no business to do. There was a Yankee that 
kept blowing a horn, and it sounded to me that it was a 
signal station, his sounds were peculiar, and would be an- 
swered by the same sort from the direction of Chatta- 
nooga. I looked for him in the trees of the other side, and 
if I had found him I was going to try to topple him out. 
I discovered where the headquarters were, and I directed 
a few at the tent. I had not fired many rounds before they 
discovered my position, and occasionally they would throw 
a shower of balls against the rocks near my position. As 
a blind, our sergeant burst in a rage with oaths at me, and 
told the Yankees to "Kill him if they could, he couldn't stop 
him." That was all right for him to say so, as it kept the 
fire off of him, we laughed about it afterwards one of the 
balls that they shot at me struck the rock above me, and 
fell down near where I picked it up. It was mashed flat, 
and pretty warm. I became alarmed in my feelings when 
the thought struck me as to how to get away from there; 
I was in constant dread that they would bring their cannon 
to bear upon my position, and batter down my shield and 
expose me to view to their sharpshooters. I imagined that 
for once I was in a precarious position. It was time I was 
at my company ; now what shall I do ? I can't undertake to 
go down right now, for my position is known, and they may 
be watching for me to come out. All these things flitted 
through my mind, and I finally decided to keep hid and be 
quiet for an hour or two, and it may be that they would 
cease their vigilance and that I could descend unobserved. 
After waiting two hours, I ventured out and began the 
perilious task of making my escape. I succeeded beyond 
my expectation, for not a single shot was fired at me, and 
I returned to my company all OK. This was October and 
the nights were cool, with frosty mornings, but we had 
plenty covering to keep us comfortable. Each company of 
the regiment had its particular place to camp and was well 
supplied with small tent flies, gum cloths, and blankets that 
was picked up on the battle-field of Chickamauga, where 
they were thrown away by the fleeing Yankees. Each com- 
pany was sent alternately on picket to guard the river 
front, each remaining twenty- four hours. Sometime near 
the twentieth of October our pickets discovered signs of an 
unusual character among the Yankees, and every indication 



—13 



194 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

were that they were making preparations to cross in force, 
and bag the whole regiment. This was communicated to 
Colonel Gates, and he forthwith communicated this intelli- 
gence to the higher authorities, but it seemed that his re- 
ports were unnoticed, and in due course of time the expec- 
ted happened. The Yankees did not cease their activities, 
and each day brought nearer the conflict that ensued. Our 
pickets increased their vigilance, so as not to be taken by 
surprise, but we felt sure that we could defeat any attempt 
to land that the Yankees would make, but preparations 
among them still went on and at early dawn of the 27th 
here they cauie. Co. ''B" commanded by Capt. N. B. Fea- 
gan was on picket at what was afterwards ascertained to 
be Brown's Ferry, the place selected by the Yankees to 
make their landing. It was at early dawn when we felt 
secure in our warm beds, that the cracking of guns began 
in rapid succession. A runner from Capt. Feagan was dis- 
patched to Col. Gates with the intelligence that the Yankees 
were crossing in large force, and that he could not main- 
tain his position against such odds. Gur company, com- 
manded by Captain Waddell and Company "A," commanded 
by Captain Schaaff was formed, and hurried to the sup- 
port of Co. "B" in double quick time. We left all our camp 
equipage, including our tents, oil cloths, blankets, cooking 
utensils and clothing, except what we had on, as prey for 
the Yankees. When we arrived at Co. "B," they were con- 
tending against great odds, and our two companys deploy- 
ed and went at them firing volley after volley into their 
crowded ranks, but there was a whole brigade of them, 
eighteen hundred strong, commanded by Brigadier General 
Hazen, and they had landed and had gained a foot-hold so 
strong that we could not drive them back. We fought at 
close quarters for awhile. The left of my company were 
in the woods and advanced to the bluff and fired on them 
in their crowded condition on the sand-bar as they would 
get out of their boats. My position as first sargeant was 
the right guide of the company, and joined to the left of 
Co. "A." That part of our line was in an open field witn 
no protection, the Yanks in the woods behind trees between 
us and the river. Two or three of our men were killed and 
several wounded, and among the wounded was our gallant 
Colonel Wm. C. Gates, and had to be toated from the field 
on a litter. Grders soon came for us to fall back as the 
Yankees were in force below us and our capture for a time 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 195 

seemed a certainty, but we made our way out without any 
confusion, and recrossed Lookout Creek, and took position 
at the foot of Lookout Mountain, exposed to the harrassing 
fire of the Moccasin Bend battery stationed across the river 
in the outer edge of Chattanooga. We moved from this 
place in a more secure place, out of the range of this bat- 
tery, and remained a few days waiting developments. It 
was ascertained that Hooker, with two strong divisions had 
crossed the Tennessee at Bridgeport, and was marching up 
the valley to get in our rear, but Hazen's movement was a 
day or two too soon, so we got out in that way. Hooker's 
advance came in sight of Lookout Mountain with a large 
wagon-train. As far as they could discover it was only 
guarded by a brigade. It went into camp about three miles 
and Longstreet was anxious for its capture, and to do so 
he ordered General Jenkins with his six regiments of his 
South Carolinians to proceed after dark and capture it if 
he could, and at the sam.e time he ordered our brigade 
(Law's) to recross the creek and form his brigade in 
Hazer's path in order to prevent him from sending rein- 
forcements to Hooker, and gaining Jenkins' rear. Law 
crossed over his brigade quietly and took position as direct- 
ed and waited for further developments. We were not long 
in waiting before we heard the advance of Jenkins' troops 
began to fire. The moon shone bright, and Jenkins at- 
tacked with great fury. He succeeded in getting in among 
the wagons, but Hooker hurled the whole of Howard's Di- 
vision against him and he had to abandon the project after 
sustaining a heavy loss of some of his valuable officers and 
m.en. Longstreet has been heavily criticised for its failure 
in not sending reinforcements to Jenkins when he was hard 
pressed. The position of our brigade that night was at- 
tacked with such numbers that we had to yielj our position 
and fall back to where we started from, but not until we 
had inflicted a heavy loss on the Yankees when they tried 
to over-run us. We held them in check until it was ascer- 
tained that Jenkins could not carry his point, and gave him 
time to fall back to his original position on the slope of 
Lookout Mountain. All of these operations were on the 
left wing of Bragg's army, which as General Bragg said, 
was entrusted to General Longstreet. I don't know by 
what authority these moves were made, but one thing I 
know now, they were "triumpant failures," for the want of 
proper support and resulted in losses to us for no good. 



196 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

We occupied the crest of Lookout until sometime in No- 
vember, when our corps was withdrawn and sent against 
Burnside in East Tennessee, who was then occupying Knox- 
ville. We encountered many delays before we reached 
Knoxville, the first at Cleveland, about twenty-five miles 
from Chattanooga on the E. T. & Go. R. R. We remained 
there a day or two waiting I suppose for a train to carry 
us to Louden, a little town on the north bank of the Tenn- 
essee, We traveled on the cars from Cleveland to a little 
place called Sweet Water, and there we found a pontoon 
train with horses hitched, ready to move. That meant that 
we were going to cross the Tennessee. The bridge had 
been burned at Louden, and we could proceed no further 
by rail. In a short while after our arrival the teams that 
were hitched to the pontoons were driven off, and we re- 
mained two or three hours before we were ordered to move. 
We were awful sleepy when orders came to fall in, but we 
had to go. We were marched off in a Western direction, 
and at last came to the pontoons where they had been 
launched and laid across, so that we could cross without 
any difficulty. The guard that had preceeded us said that 
the Yankees offered no resistance when they commenced 
laying the pontoons, but rather invited us to come over 
that they would see us tomorrow. After crossing we 
marched until one or two o'clock, halted and ordered to 
rest, without making any fires. The nights were real cool. 
White frosty mornings and the loss of our blankets over in 
Raccoon valley were greatly missed, and we were anxious 
for a scrap with the Yankees in order that we would sup- 
ply ourselves again with such things as we had lost. We 
lay down and slept as best we could, until about day-break 
the guns in front began to pop. We were ordered into line 
and with the balance of the brigade we were moved off 
rapidly in the direction of the firing. We marched two or 
three miles before we overtook the troops that was doing 
the shooting, although we had passed several dead and 
wounded Yankees in the road. It was our advance cavalry 
that was driving the Yankees in on their reserve, under- 
stood to be at Lenoir Station, on the railroad between Lou- 
den and Knoxville. It was a running fight, until the Yan- 
kees reached their entrenchments around Knoxville. I 
don't remember how long it took us to reach Knoxville, but 
we captured many things on the route that we were in need 
of, which to some extent and in some particulars repaid 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 197 

US for our losses. On arriving in front of Knoxville, Long- 
street, with his two divisions, and some cavalry, proceeded 
at once to lay siege to the place, but our forces were not 
strong enough to completely surround the place hence its 
capture was a failure. We had no regular engagement 
with them, but was sharpshooting and skirmishing every 
day. My company, as well as the other companies of the 
regiment, would have some hard skirmishes with the Yan- 
kees, in our efforts to establish our position to vantage, but 
sometimes we would fail, and at other times we would be 
successful. I well remember the hardest fight my company 
had. It was on the 25th of November, when we were de- 
tailed to drive the Yankees from their position, and to es- 
tablish one for ourselves. We drove them nicely until we 
reached a certain place when they received reinforcements, 
and gave us such a reception that caused us to halt and seek 
such protection from their fire as the situation afforded. 
We kept them back until the Texas skirmishers came up on 
our left, which drew the fire from our front on them. The 
Yankees kept reinforceing until it looked awhile like we 
were all going to be captured. There was no help for us 
in supporting distance, and our gallant Captain Waddell, 
seeing that nothing could be gained by remaining there, 
ordered us to fall back, but not without the loss of one of 
our best men, second Sergt. John T. McLeod, he was shot 
through the head while standing up encouraging, and show- 
ing some of the men where to direct their fire. He was 
killed instantly and in our retreat we left him in the hands 
of the enemy. In falling back we halted in the woods and 
took shelter behind trees (as skirmishers had a right to 
do) and began firing back at the Yanks who had advanced 
to, and halted at the position that we had left. While en- 
gaged in the woods, J. 0. Dell of my company received a 
mortal wound from which he died that night. Night com- 
ing on put a stop to the skirmishing, and each beligerent 
fell back and occupied their former positions. All this oc- 
curred to the South of Knoxville, and on the South side of 
what was then called Holston river, as I understood it at 
that time by that name. An improvised crossing was made 
for us by pulling in wagons and laying a floor on the bol- 
sters. The water was not more than three feet deep, but 
was too cold to wade. As a last resort to caputure Knox- 
ville Longstreet decided to storm Fort Sanders and we were 
hurried back across the river in supporting distance, and 



198 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

in sight of the devoted Georgians of Woffords and Bryans 
Brigades of McLaw's Division, who had been ordered to 
make the assault. It was a strong fort built upon a com- 
manding position and the large and small timber had been 
felled with their tops outwardly, making the route to the 
fort almost impassible. The fort itself was well nigh im- 
pregnable, and could not be occupied from the front unless 
the assaulting column was well provided with ladders to 
scale the wall after the large ditch in front was occupied. 
We stood in position under arms, and watched the brave 
Georgians as they moved out to the assault. I knew from 
what I could see that it would be a desperate undertaking, 
and many a brave Georgian would bite the dust. The 
blood within me became chilled with fear of the result of 
that charge as I imagined the carnage to be in the ranks 
of them brave fellows, but I kept silent and made no com- 
ment. The Georgians moves on, until they come in range 
of the numerous cannons that could be brought to bear up- 
on them when they began to send forth missies of des- 
truction into their ranks. Without wavering they move 
on, until they become entangled in the brush, when they 
lost their organization, and each man picked his own way 
to advance, but they move on, shot, shell, grape and can- 
nister dealing death at every step, but they move on, until 
they get near enough to receive the fire from the small 
arms in the fort, they gave the "Rebel Yell," and firing as 
they advanced they made a dash for the fort. They reached 
the ditch and could go no farther, and all the commanding 
officer could do was to order a retreat. There was no effort 
as I saw, made to reinforce them, and they were repulsed 
with heavy loss, but the charge upon "Fort Sanders" by 
them Georgians will ever live in the memory of the living, 
and will adorn a page in history testifying to the devotion 
of them Georgians to the "Lost Cause." There was no 
other effort made to capture Knoxville, and upon informa- 
tion that reinforcements were coming to Burnside, Long- 
street raised the seige, and moved off up towards Bristol. 
General Bush, Rod, Johnson with two brigades from 
Braggs' army had come to us just before we left Knoxville, 
and was known as Johnson's Division. They moved with 
us and shared all the hardships of the East Tennessee cam- 
paign during the latter winter of '63 and the early winter 
and spring of '64. General Hood, loosing his leg at Chica- 
mauga, was unable to command and Brigadier General C. 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 199 

W. Field was promoted to major general and by order of 
President Davis was assigned to the command of Hood's 
old division, and thus it was that we were called Fields' 
Division. Lieutenant Renfroe being disabled, it became 
necessary for us to have another lieutenant and while at 
Knoxville Captain Waddell got an order to have an election 
in our company, to elect a second lieutenant. I was solic- 
ited and with two opponents entered the race, a ballot by 
the men was had and upon an official count it was found 
that I had received a majority of the votes cast; I was de- 
clared elected, and on dress parade orders were read to 
that effect. Officers of the regiment came and congratu- 
lated me upon my success, and bid me God's speed, hoping 
that I would be as faithful as an officer as I had been a 
private and orderly sergeant. So I turned in my rifle, and 
donned a sword with one stripe on my collar I entered im- 
mediately on my duties as lieutenant, but I never did feel 
right in battle with only a sword, and always provided 
something to shoot with. Our march away from Knox- 
ville was attended with nothing worthy of note more than 
to say that the weather was cold, roads were muddy and 
a great many were barefooted and bare for clothing. We 
passed through several little villages on the railroad, in- 
habited by people that was divided in sentiment as to the 
North and South, but we treated all alike and soon made 
friends, and could get a meal from the union girl as quick 
as we could the Southern. We had two scraps with the 
Yankees during the winter, one at Bean's Station, the 
other at Dandridge, both resulting in the discomfiture of 
the Yank, but in each engagement we sustained losses that 
we could not restore. 



200 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 



CHAPTER IV 

REMINISCENCES OF AN OLD VETERAN OF THE 15th 
ALABAMA REGIMENT, LAW'S BRIGADE, FIELD'S 
DIVISION, LONGSTREET'E CORPS, FROM FRED- 
ERICKSBURG TO APPOMATTOX COURT 
HOUSE, VIRGINIA. 

Our new commander. General Fields, was from Virginia 
and before his promotion commanded a brigade in A. P, 
Hill's Division and was perfectly familiar with the tactics 
of "Stonewall" Jackson. The division admired him very 
much, and he soon had the confidence of his men. We went 
into winter quarters above Morristown, and near to Green- 
ville, the home of Andrew Jackson and the place where 
the Yankees murdered John H. Morgan. This was the 
hardest winter that we had ever experienced. It rained, 
sleeted and snowed so much that the earth became so full 
of water until a little stomping around our camp-fires 
would cause the water to rise, and the earth around would 
become to be a perfect loblolly, and there was but one reme- 
dy, and that was to gather brush or any other kind of wood 
and stand on it, but the worst of all was that it would rise 
on us at night in our beds, and everywhere our hip-bones 
rested water would come to the surface. Ditching around 
our tents done no good. A good supply of wheat straw 
gave some relief, but that would only be temporary. One 
evening I took my blanket and started out to hunt straw, 
and after walking several miles I came upon a stack, and 
I approached the lady of the house and made my wants 
known. She at first refused, and said it was an unusual 
hard winter and that was all she had to feed her cow on. 
I laid my condition before her and offered five dollars for 
as much as I could carry in my blanket. She consented, I 
give her a five dollar Confederate bill and went to packing 
my turn. I would pile up and then pack and continued in 
this way until I had a right respectable pile when it was 
made loose. When I got as much as I thought I could 
carry, I tied the corners of my blanket together, shouldered 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 201 

it up, and started to camp. I don't remember now, how 
far out I was, but I do remember that it worried me aw- 
fully before I got to camp. Others from my company had 
been out and brought in straw and continued as long as 
there was any to be had in a reasonable distance from camp. 
It was said that there were plenty of bushwhackers in that 
country, and when they caught a Confederate soldier they 
would hang him or put him out of the service in some cruel 
manner. One of my company straggled on the march up 
there and he never was heard of afterwards, and it was 
thought that they caught him and executed him. The 
Yankee cavalry kept making threats all along during the 
winter and we would be called out occasionally to brush 
them away. Their excursions did no good more than to 
find out where we were, and what manner of men we were, 
and they certainly found us out at Dandridge one day, for 
we killed lots of them and they let us alone afterwards. 
The soldiers of Longstreet's Corps, who were present in his 
East Tennessee campaign will never forget its hardships. 
There were many men with bare feet, others thinly clothed, 
perfectly unfit to stand the rigors of such a winter only 
by remaining around a fire, and wrapped in a blanket. 
Carry us back to old Virginia was the constant cry of the 
men, but at that time we had not the remotest idea where 
we would go when the spring opened, (but I will tell you 
later on.) After the wounding of our Colonel Oates in 
October, the regiment was commanded for a while by Maj. 
A. A. Lowther, and about the time we left Bragg's army 
in Novem_ber he took sick and went home much to the de- 
light of many of us. Our Lieut. Col. I. B. Feagan, who 
had lost his leg at Gettysburg was still a prisoner, and the 
regiment was commanded by a captain all through the 
East Tennessee campaign until early in March when Col. 
Oates returned to us and found us in winter quarters. My 
old company rejoiced at his coming, for he brought a large 
box from our home, filled with good substantial home-made 
clothing that our people had made up for him to bring to 
us. We were perfectly delighted, for it went a long way 
in relieving our want for clothing and shoes, besides that, 
we were glad to be under his leadership once more. During 
the month of February my captain had been furloughed 
home for thirty days and I commanded the company during 
his absence. He and the colonel returned about the same 
time and many of the sick and wounded that had become 



202 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

able for duty returned until it swelled the ranks of our 
much depleted regiment to about four hundred effectives. 
On the march we had the appearance of being a brigade. 
The middle of March brought spring weather and we left 
our winter quarters and took up the line of march toward 
Bristol. As well as I remember we moved about ten miles 
and went into camp on an elevated ridge which was more 
pleasant than the low grounds that we had left. While 
here our regiment was detailed to go as a guard to our 
wagon-train over among the hills, across a stream called 
Big Pigeon, for the purpose of gathering corn as it was 
understood that there was corn in abundance over there, 
subject to capture by the Yankees. Our march was pretty 
brisk and led us through the little town of Dandridge. A 
company from this town belonging to the 60th Alabama 
regiment was camped in the place and as I had relatives 
and friends in the company, I flanked to one side to see 
them. I could not remain but a few minutes and bidding 
good-bye I ran on and soon overtook my command, but 
while there with my friends I learned that small-pox was 
prevalent in their camp and one of my acquaintances had 
died only a few days ago. This give me a scare and I had 
no further use for Dandridge, It was getting late in the 
evening when we come to the little river. We crossed over 
in the wagons without much delay. I began to feel badly, 
I had a violent headache, and fever rose high, I marched 
on, suffering in that way some four or five miles. We halt- 
ed to rest, and I reported my condition to the captain and 
he sent to the head of the regiment for the surgeon. After 
examining me he gave me medicine and a pass to return to 
camp the next day, I didn't like that at all, but it was 
the best that could be done. The sun was about half-hour 
high, and the country was reported to be full of deserters 
and bushwhackers and it looked to me a doubtful chance. 
The captain told me to choose any one that I wanted from 
the company to stay with me, and I chose Will Phillipp. 
We saw a single-story log house over on the side of a hill, 
and after the regiment moved off we made for the house, 
arriving we found it occupied by three females an elderly 
woman and two robust likely girls. They met us very 
coolly, and I suspicioned something immediately, I told 
her that I was sick and wanted to stay in her house that 
night, to this she peremptorily refused, I told her that I 
would not disturbe her nor nothing she had, all I wanted 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 203 

was shelter to keep from lying on the ground. She still 
refused and said no Rebel should take shelter under her 
roof. I told her that I would pay her anything reasonable 
to let me stay. She replied that she did not want any of 
my Rebel money and that she would not let me stay. Turn- 
ing and looking her in the face, I said "Madam, I am going 
to stay anyhow, you may say what you please; Will make 
my bed down by the fire place, I want to lie down." Will 
spread down our oil cloths and one blanket and down I lay. 
About this time the least of the girls was taken with a 
violent toothache and had as an excuse to run over to a 
neighbors and have it pulled. I and Will was watching all 
that. All at once, I becam.e very sick and had to go out to 
vomit; Will followed and while out there we agreed upon a 
plan of defense in the event the bushwhackers was to come 
for us, for we were sure that that was the girl's business 
off, to inform on us. I had a good Remington 44 revolver 
and Will had his gun and bayonet. There were two doors 
to the house and I was to guard one and he the other. We 
agreed to fight to a finish and not surrender for it meant 
death, if we were captured and that we would sell out as 
dear as possible. Will was true and trusty and I had im- 
plicit confidence in him. We went back in the house and 
about dark the girl returned without having her tooth 
pulled, telling her mother that no one was at home that 
could pull it. I and Will took all that in. They sat down 
and ate their supper and then took seats and coversed in a 
low tone until bed time. They had two bedsteads in the 
house and they completely stripped one and piled all the 
bedding on the other. Will was setting up watching every 
move and I tell you, reader, I was not asleep. I looked at 
them secretly, so that I would not be discovered, and I 
thought there was the highest bed I ever saw, three or four 
large feather beds with mattresses to match all piled up on 
one another. Will ate his snack of cold beef and bread 
and asked me if I wanted anything. I was too sick to eat, 
had a violent headache with high fever. After awhile all 
three without undressing piled up together on one bed. 
Will fastened the doors as best he could and as the soldier 
expresses it, turned in. Before dark Will had provided 
enough fuel to last nearly all night and he kept it chunked up 
pretty much all night. I would drop off in a doze occasionally 
and lie awhile awake and listen. Will would do the same 
thing. Thus we pased the night without being disturbed. 



204 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

I was much better the next morning and relished a good 
cup of coffee that Will made while I was taking a morning 
nap. When I awoke the bedding had been removed back 
upon the naked bedstead and they were stirring around 
cooking breakfast. We offered them some of our coffee, 
which was readily accepted for they had not had nor seen 
any in months. After the sun rose to an hour's height we 
started back to camp. I asked her what county that was, 
and she said it was Tennessee county. Said I, "That is the 
name of the State." She insisted that she was right, and 
I didn't dispute her and computed it to her ignorance. I 
thanked her for all the kindness shown and bid them good- 
bye. Will and I retraced our steps and arrived at camp 
about sundown. We stopped at a house about twelve o'- 
clock to rest awhile and soon we were invited into dinner. 
It was a fine dinner and was greatly appreciated. The man 
of the house was too old for service and had two sons in 
Pat Cleburn's Division, and treated us royally. We told 
our experiences of the night before and he expressed won- 
der that we lived through the night. After dinner we 
chatted and rested awhile, thanked him for his kindness 
and bade him good-bye. As I have already said we reached 
camp about sundown, and found all "calm and serene." 
The regiment remained off two days and came in with the 
wagons loaded with corn. While at this camp, Lieutenant 
Renf roe came to us fresh from home. He had a stiff arm, 
and did not come for duty, he only come on a visit to see 
the old boys that were living once more. Some time in the 
early part of April, orders from corps headuarters were 
issued, that a furlough for thirty days would be granted to 
an officer where there was three officers and the company 
did not exceed fifty men. It struck me at once that if I 
, could get Lieutenant Renfroe to report for duty, my chance 
was good for a furlough. I approached him on the subject 
and he readily consented to be reported for duty three 
mornings all right. I went over to Colonel Oates' quarters 
and laid the matter before him, and he readily consented to 
approve my application under the order. I hurried to get 
it off, with other officers, and in due time theirs came back 
approved and they started for home leaving me to wonder 
why my application was delayed. I waited a reasonable 
length of time, and still it didn't come, and I summed up 
courage enough to go to the several headquarters to make 
inquiry. I went first to General Law's, then to Division 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 205 

Headquarters ascertaining that it was not at either place 
where I had been, I ventured to General Buckner's quarters 
(for he was in command of the corps then) he being a strict 
West Pointer, I felt a little shy in approaching him, I in- 
quired for the Adjutant General, introduced myself and 
told my business, explaining the circumstances. They 
showed every courtesy, and the clerk began to search for 
my application, and sure enough he found it "pigeon-holed" 
in his desk. He approved it at once, and I carried it back 
through the proper channel, and each one approved it. I 
began at once to get ready, drawed and cooked three day's 
rations, had the quartermaster to give me an order on the 
quartermaster at Petersburg for two months pay, and the 
next day Colonel Gates dated my furlough and I started for 
home. I took the train and came via Bristol, Lynchburg 
and Petersburg, Va., Weldon and Wilmington, N.C. Branch- 
ville, S. C., Augusta, Macon and finally landing at Ft. 
Gaines, Ga., seventeen miles from home. In company with 
Cade Lee, a member from Co. H who was coming home on 
sick furlough, decided to make the trip that night on foot. 
It was sometime after dark that we were ferried across 
the Chattahoochie river, when we struck boldly out for 
Abbeville. I knew the road, and came on without being 
bothered anywhere, arriving at Abbeville about two o'clock. 
The place looked lonesome, and as Pollard remarked about 
the city of Richmond the night after its surrender; I can 
appropriately apply it to Abbeville at that hour. He said : 
"That there was not a cheerful fire to dispel the gloom, and 
darkness brooded over the great city." That truly applied 
to Abbeville, my home town. We came out about three 
miles and an old neighbor of mine would have us to stop 
and take breakfast. We rested with him until about nine 
o'clock, when we started for our homes. We did not go far 
together before the roads forked and we had to separate, 
he going to his home near Newton in Dale County, and I 
to my home half-mile away. I took my people on surprise. 
They were not expecting to see me that time. 
Oh! how glad we were to meet again. Much fighting had 
been done since I left home in the past fall, but one casualty 
had happened to any of our relatives, and that was that one 
of my cousins had lost one of his eyes at Knoxville and was 
then a prisoner. His young wife at home came to see me to 
get the particulars. She was greatly disturbed over it, but 
she had hopes of his recovery, and that he would be ex- 



206 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

changed and come home to her some time. He was kept in 
prison until the close of the war, when he come home but 
was never well afterwards. The older he got, the worse 
he was, and at last he began to have epileptic fits, and only 
a few years ago, while sitting on the bank of Choctaw- 
hatchie river fishing he had one of them spells, fell in, and 
drowned. Thus ended the life of J. N. Trawick, a good 
soldier. I didn't enjoy the stay at home much for there 
were no one to associate with but old men. The girls was 
in full force and was as patriotic as ever. The old citizens 
had almost despaired of the success of our cause, but I held 
up the other side and told them General Lee's army was 
still in the field, and in good spirits. ''Yes, but Bragg's 
army has lost its morale and can't be relied upon with 
Bragg in command," but I held out to them that things 
would change now Bragg had been removed, Johnston had 
been put in command, confidence had been restored, and he 
had as good soldiers as anybody, and that they would de- 
feat Sherman yet. Such was the line of argument that I 
would use to hold up our cause. I was glad when the time 
came for me to start back. A few days before the time 
come I heard that my command had joined General Lee's 
army in Virginia, and that heavy fighting was going on. 
We received news every day which kept us posted as to 
how the battles were going, and with each dispatch, the 
news was favorable. The time come for me to return. I 
kissed mama and sisters good-bye, turned my back upon 
them and my face towards Ft. Gaines, Ga. to take the train 
for Virginia. Two of my neighbors had packed two boxes 
with clothing and provisions for me to carry to their sons. 
One of them belonged to the 4th Alabama, the other to my 
company, and what a burden they were before I reached 
my final destination. I was informed before I left home 
that W. A. McAllister, our A. Q. M. wanted me to carry 
back to him one thousand dollars, and accordingly my 
mother made a pocket to some of my underclothing, where 
I could secrete it, and when I arrived at Ft. Gaines a man 
was there with it securely packed. I took it, and that 
caused an uneasiness all the way. When I landed at Rich- 
mond, there I learned that my regiment had been engaged 
and the losses were considerable. I lost no time in getting 
my boxes on, and had them checked to Hanover Junction, as 
I had been informed that my command was near there. It 
was only fifteen or twenty miles by rail, and I was not long 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 207 

in landing. I put the boxes in the depot, and ran out in 
search of my command. I was not long in finding them 
and at once informed the two boys what was at the depot 
for them. We went back immediately and broke them open 
and got out the contents and hastened back to the line. 
One of the boys made me a present of a large, well smoked 
ham that his father had sent him, saying as he handed it 
to me, "Here take this for your trouble." The other boy 
offered nothing, but I did not blame him for he saw that 
I had as much as I could take care of. All the while the 
skirmishers were popping away at each other, and a battle 
was expected at any time. Everything was in a hustle, 
and there was no time to parley. We hastened back to the 
line as soon as possible, to be ready for the expected attack 
on our lines. I reported to my captain and colonel, and they 
were glad to see me. In a brief way they told me of the 
hard fighting they had done since their arrival from Tenn- 
essee the third of May. They had fought more or less 
every day up to that time, the 15th, and many of the boys 
that I left in Tennessee had been killed or wounded. There 
was not more than twenty-five men in ranks, commanded 
by Captain D. B. Waddell. The ham that had been given 
me had a beargrass string to it, and I carried it hung 
around my waist, and in passing some Georgians they saw 
it, and began to yell "Here's a ham! ham! ham!" One said, 
"Never mind old fellow, I will watch you today in battle 
and if you get killed, its mine sure." The next thing to get 
rid of was McAllister's money. I found him and handed 
him the bundle just as it was given me, minus fifty dollars 
that I took to pay expenses on them boxes. Since the war 
I paid that man five dollars in good money as a charge that 
he made against me. I thought it unjust, as I remained to 
the end and he come home and had a "bomb-proof" position 
until the close of the war. But that's all over with, and 
I have lived until now without it and have never suffered 
for the lack of it. Since our corps had been gone, a new 
commander for the Yankee army had been appointed and he 
had assumed a different mode from the rest, to get to Rich- 
mond, and that was to increase his numbers and flank Lee 
out of his position, but in this he failed as history shows. 
Read it. 



208 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 



CHAPTER V 

REMINISCENCES OF AN OLD VETERAN OF THE 15th 

ALABAMA REGIMENT, LAW'S BRIGADE, FIELD'S 

DIVISION, LONGSTREET'S CORPS, FROM FRED- 

ERISKSBURG TO APPOMATTOX COURT HOUSE. 

I said in my last chapter that when I arrived at my com- 
mand that the skirmishers in front was popping away at 
each other. Yes, my regiment was in line behind a small 
breastwork, and some of the men were engaged in strength- 
ening them, for it was not certain where Grant would at- 
tack as that had been-Jsis tactics ever since he was defeated 
at Spotsylvania Court House, but he has found Lee ready 
to receive him wherever he come out. We remained in that 
position till late in the evening when my company was de- 
tailed to go on picket, and relieve some troops that was 
already on. They were down on, and near the South Anna 
Creek, and the Yanks were on the other side. We deployed 
as skirmishers in squads of fours, and relieved those that 
were there. Each squad occupying a small redoubt. We 
passed the night quietly until just at daylight we were or- 
dered up to a skirt of woods that was between us and our 
line of battle. The officer in charge saw that our position 
down near the creek was untenable in case of an attack, 
and was easily flanked on our left. He reported these facts 
to headquarters, and that, I guess was the cause of our re- 
moval. We established our line in the woods and had a 
fine view for several miles beyond the creek where the 
Yankees were. We were relieved by another company, and 
we went back to the line. The Yanks Vv'ere threatening an 
advance all the time. About the middle of the afternoon 
here they come, and in such force as to force our skirmish- 
ers in. The under-growth in our front had been cut down 
for about fifty yards, and a charging column would have 
been considerably tangled if they undertook to capture our 
breastworks. Every one was ready the moment they 
showed themselves at the edge of the fallen brush, but they 
halted in the woods and began to annoy us with their sharp- 
shooters. General Law couldn't stand that and he ordered 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 209 

Colonel Gates to drive them away. My company, comman- 
ded by Captain Waddell, was selected for that duty. The 
captain deployed us as skirmishers behind the breasworks 
and gave the command, forward, double quick march. The 
boys dashed over the works and ran until they reached the 
thick timber when we were ordered to halt and shelter our- 
selves. We received their fire, but they aimed badly and 
not a man was hurt. The men opened fire on them and 
soon had them to hustle to the rear, but they halted and 
kept up a desultory fire, resulting in no good more than to 
hold us to our position in order that other movements could 
be made. We took position behind trees and the men would 
fire whenever one would show himself. The firing finally 
ceased in our front, but continued heavy on our right and 
left. I was on the left of the company observing things 
on that flank near the Fredericksburg railroad. I and 
Barney McArdle, an Irishman of my company, were behind 
trees that stood near together; a Yankee had advanced un- 
observed and had taken position behind a tree not over 
twenty yards distant, all at once his gun cracked and his 
bullet hissed by. I located him by the smoke of his gun. 
I was to the right of Barney and could see the Yank better 
than he could. Barney had located him, and fired on him 
but missed. The Yank kept shooting, sometimes would hit 
the trees we were behind. I told Barney that I would tell 
him when the Yank would get ready to shoot. They ex- 
changed several shots without effect, at last I told Barney 
to get ready, he was fixing to shoot. He came around 
slowly, exposing only a little of his side face and head. I 
told Barney "now" and he fired, down dropped the Yankee. 
Barney looked at me and winced his head, and in his Irish 
brogue said "I got 'im." That put an end to that. We re- 
mained silent for some time watching and waiting, pres- 
ently we saw a Yankee coming slowly and to all appearance 
using caution. We said nothing; he was unarmed and we 
preferred to let him walk right up on us, and then capture 
him. He came near enough and Barney presented his gun 
on him, and he surrendered. He was utterly surprised. 
He was a lientenant, and only had a sword. Barney carried 
him back to the line and turned him over to 
Colonel Gates and I guess he went to Richmond 
sooner than he bargained for. We were relieved by a com- 
pany of different command and we went back to the breast- 
work, took our place in line and moved by the right flank 



—14 



210 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

behind breastworks in the direction of the Chickahominy. 
On this flank movement of Grant to Petersburg, he did not 
fail to attack every place v^here there appeared to him a 
reasonable hope of success in breaking our lines, and ride 
into Richmond, as that was his objective point. It is said 
of him that on this move that he and his staff stopped to 
rest at a house and the lady asked him where he was going. 
He replied that he was going to one of three places: to 
Richmond, to Heaven or to Hell. She replied that "You 
can't go to Richmond for General Lee is in the way, you 
couldn't stay in Heaven for "Stonewall" Jackson is there, 
and I guess you will have to go to the latter place." He 
plucked straws and m.ade no reply. The month of May 
was passing rapidly away and Grant said he "proposed to 
fight it out on that line if it took all summer," and it really 
looked that way, for he kept receiving reinforcements while 
our ranks were constantly diminishing, and could not be 
replaced, but the remnant of us that was there still showed 
a bold front and repulsed every assault he made on our 
lines. We kept pace with all his flank movements and was 
in his path every time. History has accorded this cam^paign 
to General Lee as being one of the most sublime that ever 
happened in the United States. One day the latter part of 
May (I don't remember the date) we were marching by the 
flank nearing Cold Harbor, that the Yankee sharpshooters 
were uncomfortably nigh to our line, and became a menace 
to our movement. Colonel Oates detailed Co. "K," com- 
manded by the Irish Lieutenant Pat O'Connor, to drive them 
away. He deployed his company and sprung over the 
breastworks and drove them away, but it was a dear vic- 
tory. Lieutenant O'Connor was killed, which was a loss to 
his company and the regiment that could not be replaced. 
We arrived at Cold Harbor the second day of June, and 
halted as an attack was threatened at that point. The 
Yankees were near and were massing in strong force. 
Now I will give in as concise a manner as I know how, a 
description of our position, breastworks, etc. Our line of 
works ran down a hill and across a sluggish little branch, 
and up a hill on the other side from us. There was a large 
pine sappling thicket just above where our line crossed the 
branch, which afforded an elegant place to mass troops, 
where we could not see them. All of Field's Division was 
on one side of the branch and Breckenridge's Division was 
on the other. What troops were not in the breastworks 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 211 

were in the rear not far away as reinforcements in case 
they were needed. General Law's Brigade were all in the 
front line and he seeing the situation, as soon as dark came 
the men went to work tearing down the works that lead 
down to the branch, and building a work down the slope 
crossing the branch lower down. Corresponding work 
were done by the troops on the other side, thus you see if 
you understand it, it placed the whole brigade in position 
to fire on the Yankees when they reached the place where 
our first line had been razed. It gave the troops on the 
other side the same advantage. The men worked all night 
and had completed them by the first streaks of day. From 
reports, the Generals were certain that an attack would be 
made in force the next morning. Captain N. B. Feagan, 
with his Co. "B" was on picket and was ordered to come 
in at the first appearance of an advance. Law was anxious 
to get them in his trap and didn't intend to throw nothing 
in their way to impede their progress. Colonel Gates had 
asked Law for a piece of artillery to place at the angle of 
our works, where they would have full view of the Yankees 
when they come in sight. The piece was a brass twelve- 
pounder and commanded by Lieutenant O'Flannigan (an 
Irishman.) Sure enough about sunrise liere they came, 
charging through the pine thicket huzaing as they came, 
expecting to run over and capture all that were in the 
breast-works, but lo! and behold! when they arrived they 
found them torn down and deserted and was receiving a 
perfect storm of lead from both sides of the branch. The 
twelve-pounder, with cannister, did wonderful execution. 
It was Smith's Corps, closed in mass, and it was hardly 
possible for a ball to pass through without hitting some 
one. The men loaded and fired as fast as they could, and 
in a half-hour's time it was said they lost five thousand 
men. I never in all the bloody conflicts that I had been in, 
saw such a destruction of human lives. They literally piled 
on top of one another, often the dead would hold down the 
wounded and vice versa. In an hour's time there was a 
calm, except some sharpshooting. A flag of truce was 
raised and the Yanks was allowed six hours to bury their 
dead, after which General Grant began his flank move- 
ment toward Petersburg, crossing the James on pontoons 
below Bern:ud hundred, where Gen. B. F. Butler was. 
Beaureguard had him in check and Grant compared But- 
ler's position as being in a jug and it tightly corked. Grant 



212 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

in his flank movement on Petersburg had no trouble and 
proceeded at once to attack the outer works which was 
thinly occupied by some of Beauregard's troops. General 
Lee had anticipated Grant, hurried our division over to 
put a check on Grant's advance. We went in double quick 
time through the streets of Petersburg, halting by small 
detachments just long enough to drink a cup of coffee that 
the ladies had in waiting for us. It was a miserable warm 
day and we had been on the quick step for several miles. 
The streets that we had to march on had been sprinkled, 
which added much to our comfort. The Yanks was just 
forming to attack Wise's Brigade in the trenches, but seeing 
us coming in, withdrew. Grant began to concentrate his 
army and entrench it at the most available points that 
were in his possession. Lee concentrated his army oppo- 
site and began to entrench also. In the meantime General 
Lee had dispatched Early with three divisions to the valley 
to head off Hunter, and threaten Washington. That which 
was accomplished by this move is a matter of history and 
not in the province of this narrative. Suffice it to say that 
it ended disastrously to Early. Grant continued to stretch 
his left around Petersburg, until he struck the Weldon R. 
R. at Reams' Station. He succeeded in tearing up some of 
the track, but Mahone's Division pounced down upon them 
and give them a glorious thrashing, and capturing many 
prisoners with their colors. The broken place was soon 
restored and the regular schedule for the trains was re- 
sumed. Fields' Division was shifted several times, first on 
the North side of the James East of Richmond, then back 
to Petersburg as the emergency of situation required. By 
the middle of July Lee had good breastworks, both in front 
of Richmond and Petersburg. I guess they were thirty 
miles from right to left. Several attempts were made du- 
ring the summer to break Lee's lines but all failed. The 
most formidable attempt was made on the morning of the 
29th of July. (I have reference to the Crater, and will 
pass on and say no more.) Grant lay regular seige to 
Petersburg and all through the summer, fall and winter 
months of '64 made repeated efforts to control the railroads 
that ran into Petersburg, as they were the lines that furn- 
ished subsistence from the South to Lee's army, and in 
some instances he succeeded, but never completely stopped 
us up. By the middle of June the lines of both armies 
were established and work to strengthen the breastworks 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 213 

was the order of the night, for neither side was allowed to 
work in the daytime, where they were the least exposed. 
My command would go to the front about once a week and 
relieve troops that were in the trenches in order that they 
might retire to the rear for a few day's rest, when we would 
be relieved to rest. About the middle of July a demonstra- 
tion in heavy force by the enemy was made upon our lines 
on the North side of the James and within ten miles East 
of Richmond. The attack was so sudden in such force as 
to enable them to gain some foot-hold and our division was 
sent hurriedly from the front of Petersburg to reinforce 
our troops on the North side of the James. Just before we 
arrived at the place needed the Yankees had seucceeded in 
capturing Ft. Gilmer, and the works that led to the right 
of it towards the James. There were no guns in the fort, 
and our generals decided that the works that they had cap- 
tured was of little value to us, and was not worth the at- 
tempt to recapture them. The Yankees did not advance 
any farther, and we established our line which remained 
permanent until the war closed, although there were re- 
peated efforts made several times during the summer and 
fall to flank us out of them. We had another fort on this 
line to the left of Ft. Gilmer, called Ft. Harrison, which 
commanded a view a mile to the front and had four twenty- 
pounders mounted therein, ready for action. It was a large 
earthwork made of earth thrown from the outside, which 
made a ditch on the outside so deep that the top of the fort 
could not be reached without ladders. The Texas Brigade 
occupied this part of the line including the fort. My bri- 
gade was on their left, with a branch between, but the 
bushes had been cut down so that we had a fair view of 
what took place in front of and at the fort. About the 
middle of the afternoon brisk firing was heard in front, 
and presently our advanced skirmishers came in, followed 
by those of the Yankees. It meant that a heavy assault 
was going to be made on Ft. Harrison and from our po- 
sition we could be spectators, if nothing come in our front 
to detract our attention. Presently the long line of "Blue 
and Black" debouched from the woods in fine style to the 
attack. Poor, ignorant negroes. They did not know what 
was in waiting for them behind them works that flanked 
the fort. Our cannon in the fort threw twenty pound shrap- 
nel at them from the time they made their appearance until 
close enough for grape and cannister. All this did not 



214 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

check them. Great gaps would be made in their ranks to 
be closed immediately. When within one hundred yards, 
the Texans opened upon them with their Enfield rifles and 
such another thinning of ranks I had not witnessed in a 
long time. There was nothing in our front and we would 
yell as if we were on a charge. The attacking column was 
Ledly's Division of negroes, and we were perfectly de- 
lighted to see how the Texans was cutting them down. We 
had heard of the negro troops in Grant' army, and we 
wanted a chance at them. We had heard of their cruelty 
to prisoners, and that had made us "7)iad" and we wanted 
a chance to appease our wrath. We knew they were front- 
ing a set that would do the right thing by them, and we 
were satisfied to turn them over to Texans and the Geor- 
gians, for they were there also. They came right on, until 
they reached the outer ditch when into it they went and 
began to climb up, but let me tell you, reader, our boys 
threw hand grenades over on them and lit five second fuses 
to them twenty pound shrapnel and tossed them over on 
them, until there was heaped in that ditch such a pile of 
dead niggers that no American had ever seen. What few 
white officers that were left and some of the niggers took 
advantage of the smoke and escaped. The night was hid- 
eous from the pitiful cries of them cruel wounded negroes, 
and many of their dead was thrown into an old well that 
was on their side. The wounded was hauled off" to the 
hospital near the James and there received good treatment 
from our surgeons and nurses as they were entitled to. It 
was ascertained that them niggers were tanked up on liquor 
and that was the cause of them being so headstrong and go- 
ing to destruction with so much recklessness. That put a 
quietus on that part of the line, and remained so for several 
days. The Yankees that were on the North side of the 
James at that time was commanded by General Butler. 
Hancock, who commanded a corps in Grant's army, came 
over and extended Butler's lines far to their right (our left) 
until our division had to move to the left to keep in Han- 
cock's front. In establishing our lines, sharp skirmishing 
would occur between us, and it was kept up in this way 
until the night of the 15th of August revealed the fact that 
Hancock would attack in force somewhere on the line the 
next day. We were all put on the qui vive. We in the 
ranks didn't know where, nor when the attack would be 
made. As well as I remember it was ten o'clock, that we 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 215 

began to hear firing to our left and it grew to be shai*p as 
if regular lines of battle were engaged. At that time we 
occupied New Market heights near a large spring where 
it was said that at one time Washington watered his army. 
All I can say about that is, that it affordtd an abundant 
supply. Our brigade had out pickets in front, commanded 
by my Captain, D. B. Waddell, which left me in the com- 
mand of the company. The firing increased in volume and 
our regiment was formed in line and follovv^ed by the 48th 
we moved off in quick time left in front in the direction of 
the firing. We crossed a little branch and moved rapidly 
up the hill, and when we struck the level we double-quicked 
until we became opposite to where the works had been lost. 
The Georgians were scattered along the works so thin that 
they had to yield to overwhelming numbers. When we ar- 
rived at the place, we were needed, we halted, fronted, 
and forming we were ordered forward, but while forming, 
we were fired upon from the left, a place that we were not 
expecting it, which caused a little confusion in the left wing 
of our regiment. Order was soon restored, and looking to 
the left I saw a regiment of Yankees down on their knees 
loading and firing. Nine of m.y company were wounded 
from this fire, and Co. "B" that was on my left sustained 
similar loss. Two Lieutenants of the regiment were wound- 
ed who left their companies without a commissioned officer 
to command. Our regiment was commanded by Major 
Lowther, and he was wounded also. Two or three of Ben- 
nings' Georgia regiments passed to our rear, and when 
their right passeii our left they fronted, and we altogether 
charged and drove the Yankeee to and past the breast- 
works, and capturing many prisoners. Col. Oates by spe- 
cial order from the war department had been assigned to 
the command of the 48th Alabama and while we were en- 
gaged he, with his regiment, was on our right contending 
with overwhelming odds for the repossession of the lost 
works. By their bravery and skill of their commander they 
retook the line, capturing, wounding and killing m.ore Yan- 
kees than they had in their ranks, but in this Col. Oates 
lost his right arm, and^ the next ranking officer was des- 
perately wounded. Our color bearer, W. I. Defnal, while 
leading the charge, hat in his right hand and the colors 
held aloof in his left, had the misfortune of having his left 
arm cut off at the elbow by a solid shot from the enemy. 
The colors dropped to the ground, but were still grasped 



216 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

by his hand. Capt. Feagan loosened the staff from his hand 
as it lay on the ground, and carried it in triumph to the 
breastworks. When we reached the works, the Yankees 
that were on the other side, fell over on our side as prison- 
ers. The boys shot at them that run, until they were out 
of sight. Things soon got quiet, except we were the re- 
cipients of an awful shelling. While we were Dehind the 
works, a shell hit the ground on the other side and bounced 
over into our ditch. It was smoking and ready to burst 
when John D. Shepherd of my company, picked it up and 
quickly threw it back over the works, it exploding before 
it hit the ground on the other side. I fell flat on my stom- 
ach on the ground as that was the only remedy for my 
escape. The ground in our rear was dotted with the killed 
and wounded Yankees, and they were in direct range of the 
shells from their friends, and the wounded begged piteously 
to be removed, but we had no time for that, as we expected 
that another attack would be made on the works. There 
was one poor wounded Yankee that lay in our rear that was 
literally torn to pieces by the explosion of a shell thrown 
from his friends. It was here in this charge that I had the 
only drop of blood drawn from me during the war by the 
Yankees' bullets. While on the charge to the works a 
minnie ball struck the ground in front of me, and bounc- 
ing, struck me on the upper lip, causing my two upper 
teeth to become loose. It hurt real bad and I thought at 
first that my tongue, and mouth were shot all to pieces. It 
was a spent ball, and fairly sung before it hit me. I soon 
discovered that I was not seriously hurt, and went on, and 
only suffered a few days with a swollen upper lip, and loose 
teeth, which become tight, and I carry one of them today, 
having lost the other by decay about one year ago. This 
battle was fought on the 16th of August, 1864, and is 
known in history as the battle of Fussel's Mill, on the Dar- 
bytown road ten miles east of Richmond. According to the 
num.ber of troops we had, and the number engaged by the 
Yankees, our victory was a grand success and had the ef- 
fect of silencing Hancock for several days. All being quiet, 
troops came in to relieve us, and the next day we resumed 
our position on New Market Height. We remained on this 
line all during the month of August and September and 
only moved to the threatened points. We kept out pickets 
all the time, fronting the Yankees, and our boys would fire 
on them whenever one would show himself, and they did us 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 217 

the same way, consequently picket firing went on all the 
summer, and became so common that it was not noticed at 
the main line. There was a circumstance that happened 
to me over at Petersburg in June, which I should have re- 
lated in my stories of the seige, but it had slipped my 
memory and now while I think of it, I will tell you. We 
had out videttes in front, occupying small redoubts, and 
the Yankee pickets were so close by that we could hear them 
cough. We could not go out, and remain in the day time, 
neither could the Yankees, Our pickets were made up by 
a promiscuous detail from our brigade, and a small branch 
separated the pickets of our brigade from that of Bennings. 
Each brigade picket was commanded by a commissioned 
officer detailed for that purpose. It was my time to go, 
and I went out very cautious, making no noise, placing four 
men in each redoubt, and my duty was to keep one man 
awake at each post. Firing on the line was prohibited. 
The Yankees were busily working on a large fort in my 
immediate front, and we could see them on top of the 
fort between us and their lights that were on the other side. 
They presented a good target, but we were not allowed to 
shoot. Sometime late in the night, one of the Georgians 
from the other side and near the branch crossed over look- 
for the commanding officer of our pickets. When I was 
shown to him, he asked my permission to fire on the Yanks 
at work. I told him to go back to his post, and shoot as 
much as he wanted to, as far as I was concerned, I had no 
control over his part of the line. He went back, and in a 
short time I heard the whizzing of his bullet and the crack 
of his rifle, and at the breastworks I heard a fellow hollow, 
"Oh, Lordy!" He hit one, thought I, and that started a 
firing all along the line. It caused the men at the main 
line to be aroused, and get ready for action. I was really 
uneasy for I didn't know what would be done with me the 
next morning. The officer from Bennings' picket came 
over to consult as to the best thing to say, in the event we 
were called on, and we agreed not to give the fellow away, 
and that he fired without our consent. Just at dawn, we 
withdrew, and went in to the main line. I dismissed the 
men, telling them to report at their commands. Then I 
went to sleep, and slept until ten o'clock. In the afternoon 
Col. Perry, who at that time, was in command of the 
brigade, sent his Orderly to the 15th Alabama with in- 
structions for the officer that commanded the pickets the 



218 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

night before to report to his headquarters. I went, uneasy 
as I could be. When I reported he asked me all about the 
firing, and at last said, "he hit one of them for I heard him 
hollow; if he hadn't I would put you under arrest. I dis- 
miss you. Lieutenant." I was glad to hear that. I will 
return to my narrative of events as they come under my 
observation during, the fall and winter of 1864. On the 7th 
of October our division was sent out on the Darbytown 
road to make a reconnaissance. The advance was led by some 
South Carolina cavalry, commanded by Gen. Gary. The 
outpost of the Yankees consisted of cavalry and they were 
easily pushed back on their main supports. My company 
was deployed to cover the advance of the regiment, but in 
maneuvering and being ordered by Gen. Gary. I was led 
away from the front of my regiment, and went on a flank- 
ing expedition commanded by Gen. Gary. At last we came 
up on the left of a company of Yankee cavalry, and my 
whole line of skirmishers fired on them, putting them to 
rout until they reached an old house when they dismounted, 
and took shelter, firing at us through the cracks from 
which two of my company were wounded, and one killed. 
Gen. Gary ordered us to lie down, and keep up a fire to hold 
them there, until he could move around, and "bag the whole 
concern." He only partially succeeded, a few escaped. A 
little further on, they had a cannon which they turned on 
us, and fired a few rounds of grape at us before we captur- 
ed it. We advanced at a double quick, firing as we ad- 
vanced, until the Yankees disappeared in the woods. But 
where was the regiment? I did not know, but I knew I 
was a long way in the advance, but kept right on. They 
had abandoned their piece of cannon and I made straight 
for that. Looking to my right I saw the brigade advanc- 
ing in line of battle as if they were going to make an at- 
tack, but there was nothing there to attack but a few dis- 
mounted cavalry, and they were disorganized. As I was 
passing down the road, I came across a member of Co. "A" 
of my regiment, with two or three others. He was sitting 
beside a tree struggling in great pain. One grape shot had 
entered his face, just under one of his eyes, ranging down- 
ward, had lodged near the root of his tongue, and he was 
struggling to get it out but failed. It was the size of a large 
size marble, an iron ball, and it made an awful hole beside 
his nose, where it entered, and I was sure that it would 
kill him. I didn't have time to stay there long, and hur- 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 219 

ried on leaving him there with his comrades. I never ex- 
pected to see him again, and never heard anything of him 
during the war, but to my surprise he was at the reunion 
of the 15th Alabama in November, 1902, in Montgomery, 
and had the grape shot with him. I told him of seeing 
him by the tree in great pain, and never expected to see 
him again. It was taken out of the neck below the chin. 
It left a large scar at both places where it entered and 
where it was cut out. The grape shot is in possession of 
Gen. Wm. C. Gates or in the archives. I don't remember 
his nam.e, but he resided in Russell County in 1902. I was 
awful proud to meet that fellow, and wish I knew his name. 
My skirmishers passed by the piece of artillery and entered 
the woods. We were somewhat scattered but kept up the 
alignment. I was on the right, and nearing a small branch 
with but little swamip. Jim Rhodes of Co. "K" had fell in 
with me, and he was on my right and Alex Stone of my 
company was next to my left. My attention was on John 
Bray who was on the other side, among some scattering 
pines. John was acting as scout that day, and had gotten in 
our front. I noticed his slipping along half bent as if he was 
trying to slip up on something, but all at once right in front 
of me, a large Yankee stepped from behind a pine hardly ten 
paces away, throwing his large revolver on me, ordered m.e 
to surrender. I had nothing but my sword, and without 
saying a word I turned my right side to him. I expected to 
catch a shot from him every second, but fortunately for me, 
Jim Rhodes saw him just as he spoke to me, and throwing 
his gun on him stormed out, "Surrender yourself, G — d 
d — n you." The Yankee seeing that Rhodes had the drop 
on him, dropped his hand, at the same time dropping his 
revolver. We went up to him and Rhodes asked for his 
pocket book. The Yank pulled it out of his pocket and 
handed it to Rhodes. I took his sword belt, and wore it 
home when the war ended. He had on a pair of cavalry 
boots, a good hat, and a fine ring on one of his fingers. The 
boots, and hat were no good to either of us, so we didn't 
swap with him, but Rhodes commanded him to take that 
ring off his finger. It was hard to get off, and in the effort 
to get it off he remarked in a subdued tone that his mother 
put that on his finger when he left her to join the army. 
That touched me, and I told him to keep it, and hide for he 
might not find as honest Rebels as we were when he went 
to prison. I turned him over to Alex Stone, who 



220 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

guarded him to the rear, and turned him over to the Pro- 
vost Guard. After we got through with him we hurried 
on to where Bray was. He had slipped on to, and had cap- 
tured a Yankee in a gully. I swapped hats with him. It 
was a small white fur hat, and I wore it home at the close 
of the war. We had no orders from any one, and we kept 
up the forward movement until we came to some rifle pits 
that had but a short time been occupied by the Yankees, 
We took possession, and fell into them to shelter us from a 
severe shelling from the main line of the Yankees. While 
here, a battery of four pieces came into position in our rear, 
and engaged the Yankee battery in a regular duel. Our po- 
sition was anything else but a pleasant one, and we had 
to lie down to protect ourselves. The Yankees had left a 
good woolen overshirt that was soiled a little around the 
collar, and I appropriated it to my use. Presently the bat- 
teries ceased their firing, and a Colonel of one of the Geor- 
gia regiments rode up and ordered me to advance to as 
near the works as I could and develop what strength the 
Yankees had behind them. I did so, but on nearing the 
works we received a volley from a solid line from behind 
the works, fortunately no one of my company was hit as we 
fell flat on the ground at the first intimation we had, that 
we were going to be fired upon. There we were under full 
control of the Yankees, we had gone as near as we could, 
and nothing remained for us to do but to fall back. I ex- 
pected the Georgians to advance over us, and charge the 
works but they did not come, and after waiting a reason- 
able time, I ordered the company to fall back, and this we 
did in double quick time. The Yankees had a fair shot at 
our backs for a short distance, and fortunately for us only 
one man of my company was hit. That was Jackson Ward 
who fell just in front of me, and I stepped over him, pass- 
ing two or three steps, I looked back, and he had his hands 
raised, asking me to help him away. Before the war, he 
was my playmate, schoolmate, and in the war my friend. 
After getting out from under the fire from the Yankees, I 
assembled the company and started in search of the regi- 
ment. I found them about a mile in the rear fixing to go 
into camp. I ascertained that they had had several brushes 
during the day, and had lost some men killed and wounded. 
Our company had lost four, two died from wounds, the 
others were only slightly wounded. When dark came I took 
with me Dave Merritt, and went and brought poor Jack 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 221 

Ward out, and got him off that night for the hospital at 
Richmond. He died on the 9th and Col. Gates being there, 
wounded himself, procured a burial case, and in accordance 
of a promise made to Jack's father, shipped his remains 
home. They lie in the cemetery at this place, and I never 
fail at each memorial day to lay a bunch of flowers on his 
grave. He was a noble young man, with a noble pride, and 
a lofty ambition. Before retiring I put on the woolen 
shirt, and lay down with Dave Merritt, my bed fellow. The 
night was pretty cool, and it was real comfortable, but not 
long something began to sting me, and I became restless, 
so much so that Dave complained, and after telling him the 
cause of my restlessness he rose, and made a fire, and told 
me to get up and let's see what's on that shirt. He had mis- 
trusted something. I did as he requested, and we found 
thousands and thousands of "Body Creepers" (every old 
soldier knows what they were.) I pulled it off and laid it 
in the fire and done about to get rid of the others so that I 
and Dave could sleep. 



CHAPTER VI 

REMINISCENCES OF AN OLD VETERAN OF THE 15th 
ALABAMA REGIMENT, PERRY'S BRIGADE, 
FIELD'S DIVISION, LONGSTREET'S CORPS, 
FROM FREDERICKSBURG, VA., TO AP- 
POMATTOX COURT HOUSE. 

Brigadier General Law, after receiving his wound at 
Cold Harbor the 3rd of June, never commanded us any 
more. He was promoted to Major General, and assigned 
to command somewhere else. Col. W. F. Perry of the 44th 
being the senior Colonel, was promoted to the command of 
our brigade, therefore, I now call it Perry's brigade. After 
our spat with the Yankees in October we fell back, and es- 
tablished a line on more favorable ground, and began to 
fortify. The Yankees to find out our position on the 13th 
attacked our position with Birney's division. They drove 
in our pickets, and came buzzing through the woods. Our 
works was nothing like half complete, but we repulsed 



222 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

their attack implicating a havy loss on them. Co. "K" was 
on picket when the Yankees advanced, and was driven in 
by a heavy line. They had no commissioned officer to com- 
mand them and Lieutenant Glover of Co. "B" was detailed 
to command them, and in this skirmish he received a wound 
that in a few days ended his life. Another noble officer was 
lost. There was a calm for a while, and one of our cav- 
alry advanced down the road toward the Yankees, and it 
was but a short time before we heard the sound of horses 
coming up the road. We thought it was a cavalry charge, 
and the left company of our regim.ent that was nearest the 
road made ready to receive them. The right companies of 
the regiment on our left made ready also. The sound came 
nearer, and all at once our cavalryman that had advanced 
half an hour before came running at full speed, with his 
legs clinched tight to the sides of his horse, sticking his 
spurs. Here come a Yankee sitting half bent in his saddle, 
with a drawn sabre in his hand, in close proximity to our 
fellow. In another half minute's run the Yankee would have 
overtaken him, but when the Yankee reached the gap in 
our works there must have been fifty guns fired at him, 
and down come the rider and horse, both lifeless. Our fel- 
low did not slack his speed, and one of our men remarked 
that he had gone to Richmond to tell Jeff Davis how near 
he had been run down by a Yankee. It was real funny to 
see the fellow running so fast with no one in pursuit. All 
the time we were idle, we were busy strengthening our 
works. The under brush had been cut down in front for a 
short distance. We could hear the Yankee oflricers giving 
commands in their formations, and presently we heard the 
command, Forward! given, and then we knew they were 
coming. It was a momentous time with us, for we did not 
know how strong they were, but we were sensible of our 
weakness, and the inadequacy of our works. The men re- 
solved to stand to the last, and give them the bayonet in the 
event they came near enough. There was no thought of 
surrendering or retreating. Our men held their fire until 
they reached the point where the bushes had been cut down, 
and as soon as they reached that point our men poured 
such a deadly volley into their ranks as to cause them to 
waver, and become confused. They lost their organiza- 
tion, notwithstanding the living officers were among them 
urging them forward. All the while our men kept pour- 
ing a furious fire into their crowded ranks, and the com- 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 223 

mands of their officers to advance were in vain. There 
was an old Major on his horse for a short time among his 
men with a drawn sword in hand, ordering his men to ad- 
vance, but his orders were unheeded. I had a Remington 
44 revolver that I emptied at them at close range. I fired 
four shots into their crowded ranks, and two at the Major 
on his horse. The Major didn't last a minute after he made 
himself so conspicuous. He and his horse went down about 
the same time, riddled by many bullets. What was left, 
broke and run until they reached their main line of works. 
Our skirmishers pursued until they reached a place of 
safety from us, and each party went to work in establish- 
ing their outer lines, which were used by each party all 
during the winter. After the battle was over I went out 
among the dead and wounded that lay in my front, and ex- 
amined as well as I could to see if any of the 44 calibre 
balls had taken effect. I think I found two. Adjutant 
Camp of the Yankee regiment, lay dead with a small bullet 
hole in the corner of one of his eyes next to his nose; the 
other was shot through the breast from left to right, the 
ball going clear through. Julius Wicker of Co. "K" always 
said that I killed them two Yankees. I examined the Major, 
only found two small holes through his cape, but several 
large ones in his body. The next day the wounded were 
removed and the dead buried, and we resumed our posi- 
tion on the left, and went to building breastworks. We 
finished them in November, and the weather became cold 
and rainy so that the roads become so bad that active opera- 
tions csased, and both armies, where we were, contented 
themselves in watching each other, but it was not so over 
and around Petersburg for they fought more or less every 
day over there, but it didn't bother us. In December or- 
ders cam.e for us to build huts preparatory to spending the 
winter there. We were glad to hear that, and the boys 
went to work in earnest, and soon had comfortable huts 
to protect them from the sleet and snow. We were just in 
the rear of our breastworks and in plain view of the Yan- 
kee works of their outpost. It was an admirable position 
and I always wanted the Yankees to attack us there in 
heavy force, but they never came. We spent Christmas in 
quietude but our head commanders had not forgotten the 
old custom of having a dram on Christmas morning, con- 
sequently unexpected to us a small quantity (but enough) 
was issued to each man. There was some that refused, 



224 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

and his share was prorated, in order that all would share 
alike. Rations were scarce, and some days we would get 
real hungry. They had been reduced, and it caused hun- 
ger. We had not been paid off in eight months except for 
two months, and the amount being so small and had to pay 
such high price for anything we bought, until it was soon 
gone. One day a wagon come in with some sweet potatoes 
to sell. General Perry rode up on his horse. Several of the 
boys were standing around the wagon and among them 
Bryant Skipper, Bryant looked up at the General and said, 
"My God, General, ain't they never going to pay us any 
more money?" The General replied that he didn't know, 
and pulling out a five dollar bill, handed it to Bryant, and 
he gave it for two potatoes. The scarcity of money and 
rations caused some good men to become despondent and 
lost all hopes of our success. Consequently, all through 
the months of January, February and March desertions 
became to be frequent. While in winter quarters I was 
cited to appear before an examining board of military offi- 
cers to be examined for promotion to a First Lieutenancy 
of my company, as Lieut. Renfroe had been retired, which 
caused a vacancy. I passed all right, but for some cause 
never did receive my commission from the war depart- 
ment and was only declared so by order of the Colonel com- 
manding. The Yankee picket post where our men would 
desert to at night, was half a mile away, and was guarded 
by Yankee cavalrymen as we could plainly see. I conceived 
a plan to capture him at night, and quietly went to our 
Colonel, Lowther, to obtain permission to make the at- 
tempt that night, and to lay my plans before him. He 
consented and dealt out a great long string of advice in the 
way of caution. His lecture almost caused me to decline 
as he depicted to me some horrible circumstances that 
would follow a failure. I went back to my company, and 
thought over the whole matter, but I never could agree with 
his suggestions, and finally concluded that I would make 
the attempt. I crossed over the breastworks before dark 
and proceeded to a piece of woods where we had a picket 
post. It was in command of a Georgia Lieutenant and I 
selected this as the place from which I would approach the 
Yankee picket. I put him in possession of my plan, and 
obtained his consent to pass through his line but I bound 
him to secrecy in order that nothing would be let out. I 
went back to quarters and called Cicero Kirkland of my 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 225 

company. Fate Harper of Co. "B" and Watts (an 

Italian) of Co. "K" together and put them on to what I 
wanted to do, and that I had selected them to go with me. 
Yes, they were right in for it. I begun to give instruc- 
tions as to each man's part to be played, and it was this : 
At twelve o'clock we were to start, pass through the Georgia 
line of pickets and form in single file, I in front followed by 
Kirkland, Harper and Watts in the order named. When we 
came near enough to be challenged, I would answer "Don t 
shoot, we are deserters." Each one was to carry an Enfield 
rifle, 'and conceal them as much as possible. When near 
enough, I was to seize his bridle reins and they were to 
spring at the same time and present their guns, and I de- 
manding him in a low tone to surrender. All this was my 
instructions and thoroughly understood, and at the ap- 
pointed time we started. Passing the Georgia pickets we 
formed in single file toward the Yankee. The large growth 
for fifty yards in his front had been cut down and a small 
growth of bushes had sprung up to about waist high. The 
moon shone brightly, and we advanced slowly. His position 
was on a little rise in the ground, and our line of advance 
was up a small incline. I could see him sitting on his horse 
between me and the sky beyond. We approached within 
ten steps of him before he commanded us to halt. He said 
"Halt there and surrender." I replied "Don't shoot and 
iust at that moment Watts from the rear stormed out Sur- 
render yourself," when whiz! went by a bullet from the 
Yankees carbine. He lay down on his horse, turned and 
fled across the old field to where his reserves was Each 
one of us fired at him as he ran off but missed. We fired 
several shots into where the reserve was and must have 
caused some commotion in their camp from the noise and 
the sounding of trumpets that we heard. They must have 
thought the whole of Longstreet's Corps was right on to 
them judging from the loud orders that were being given 
After staying there as long as we wanted to, we returned 
to camp from whence we came, and retired for the night. 
I was utterly whipped out by the performance of Watts, 
as what he did destroyed all chance of success. The effort 
that we made to capture that Yankee had a good effect. It 
stopped so much desertion, as it made them afraid of being 
fired on The month of March came m, and it being the 
"blowing" month the roads soon become so that active op- 
erations would soon commence. We could begin to hear of 



—15 



226 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

conflicts between Lee's and Grant's forces over at Peters- 
burg, but seldom anything encouraging to us as Grant, with 
his great strength could keep extending his line to Lee's 
right, causing him to scatter his forces in the trenches in 
order to get troops to send to the right. There was nothing 
encouraging to us and the chance of our success was slim. 
As the firm weather of the middle of March came on history 
tells us that Grant had completed his preparations for a 
move all along the line, with such numbers as would com- 
pel us to abandon our position, and evacuate Richmond. It 
was a gloomy time with us, the end of the struggle would 
soon end, but who would live to see it? The last days of 
March the Yankees became very acitve in our front by 
sharpshooting all the time, which was indicative that some- 
thing would soon happen that would startle the world. On 
the first of April Grant succeeded in turning Lee's right, 
and the next day breaking his line at Petersburg. We could 
hear the cannonading that was going on in front of Peters- 
burg all day the first, and we were not surprised when we 
were called on to get up, take with us what we could carry 
on our backs and be ready to march at a moment's notice. 
About three o'clock we were ordered into line and moved 
off towards Richmond without making any noise. We moved 
out about a mile and halted, and there waited until the 
other three brigades of our division could be brought up, 
and put in the marching coulmn. This being done, the or- 
der to march was given, when we bid farewell to our last 
winter quarters on the Darbytown road, ten miles East of 
Richmond. Our march was brisk at times, especially when 
we began to draw near to Richmond. We arrived about 
sunrise and the part of the city that we went through was 
perfectly quiet, and those we saw were not alarmed in the 
least. Our line of march was in the extreme Southern part 
of the city, near the James, and the people down there did 
not know that at that time, arrangements were being made 
for its abandonment. Neither did we know it. We march- 
ed to the depot where there was a long train of flat cars 
waiting to carry us over to Petersburg. We hurried aboard 
without observing any form, seated ourselves and was 
ready to ride. Toot! toot! was sounded by the engineer, 
and the train began to move slowly across the James. I 
have no doubt that the move we were then making sug- 
gested to the mind of our drummer boy, Pat Brannon, this 
line of his renowned poem when he said, "Farewell dear 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 227 

Richmond on the James, etc.," and sure enough it has 
proved to be a lasting farewell to many. The tram was 
heavily loaded, and naturally run slow. About half way 
we met a train from Petersburg switched to one side, load- 
ed with Yankee prisoners. Our train slowed up and stop- 
ped opposite them when a free for all discussion commenced 
between them and our boys. They said, "Boys, we ^ are 
sorry for you, you don't know what you are runnmg mto. 
We have taken Petersburg and have your army nearly sur- 
rounded; the war will be over in two weeks and they 
were glad that they were out of it- They could not make 
some of the boys believe this, and they told them that the 
first corps was still alive and that it never had been whip- 
ped, and the tide would turn as soon as our division could 
reach Petersburg, to this they laughed and said They had 
men lying back in the rear drilling that hardly knew the 
war was going on." I have been reliably informed since 
the war that this was true. I only acted as a silent listener, 
but took what they said seriously. I saw a fellow with 
a good pair of shoes on that I wanted. I called his atten- 
tion and proposed to swap. He bluffed me at the start by 
telling me that he wanted to wear a good pair home, and 
that mine was too sorry for that. I then told him that I 
would give him five dollars in addition ; to this he replied 
that my money was no good. The Yankee had more sense 
that I thought he had and I let him alone. We moved off 
and left the train still standing on the track and I don t 
know until this day what went with them Yankee prisoners. 
We moved on, and nearing Petersburg we heard the can- 
nons booming and the rattle of small arms. It was m the 
middle of the P. M. that we arrived and getting off the 
pars in the edge of the city we were sent hurriedly to the 
Western part of the city, where the Yankees had n^ver 
bothered before. Line of battle was formed. Captain Wad- 
dell with his battallion of sharpshooters and my company 
on his right deployed as skirmishers to cover the brigade 
The Yankee skirmishers about three hundred yards distant 
opened fire on us at once. We ran down a hill, crossing a 
branch toward them, and was soon under ^over, when we 
began to ascend the hill on the other side, creeping up cau- 
tiously so that we could see them, being near, the firing 
become spirited until the Yanks retired a short distance 
when they reinforced and come again, extending farther 
to their left and overlaping my right. This day was Sun- 



228 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

day the 2nd day of April, and will ever be remembered by 
all my old company that was there in that skirmish so long 
as life lasts, as being the last engagement, and losing H. F. 
Satcher, one of our best young men, so near the close of the 
war. He was shot through the head and died instantly. 
Captain Waddell, with his battallion of brigade sharpshoot- 
ers, had flanked to the left, and I moving to the right we 
become separated, and fought independently of each other. 
My right rested on one of the main roads that went into 
the city from the West. The Yankees kept extending to 
their left and I had to keep in their front to keep from 
being captured. I kept on this way until my right come 
to the canal along side of the Appomattox river. I could 
go no farther, neither could the Yankees. My company 
kept up a regular fire on them all the while, keeping them 
back. Fortunately no one of my company was hit but 
Satcher, but they came near getting me, shooting a hole 
through my hat, and through my pants near my knee. The 
brigade had lay down in line where we left them, and had 
not moved. We had no supports, and was occupying an iso- 
lated position without orders and dark coming on. I knew 
to remain there till morning, it meant for me and my whole 
company to be captured. So soon as dark hid us from the 
view of the Yankees, I quietly, without making any noise, 
assembled my company and went back to my regiment. 
They were moving off, and I hurried to take my place in 
line. The fact was, we would have been left and sacrificed 
if I had not withdrew. We moved without making any 
noise back to the edge of the city and crossed Appomattox 
on a pontoon bridge. Then it was that we bid farewell to 
Petersburg and struck out on a road leading Northwest. 
None of us knew where we were going. We marched all 
night without sleeping a wink. A whole lot of sugar was 
issued to us while standing in the road, and as well as I re- 
member now, it was the last ration of any kind issued to 
us by our government. During the night we could see 
flashes and hear the sound of something like unto large can- 
non in the direction of Richmond. The next day we were 
informed that Richmond had been evacuated and the flashes 
and sounds we heard the night before was caused by the 
blowing up of the powder magazines. We moved on all 
day, tired and sleepy, with but little to eat. As well as I 
remember it was on the 5th that we arrived at Amelia 
Court House, where it was understood that a long train of 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 229 

wagons from Richmond with an abundant supply of rations 
were in waiting for the army, but to our surprise they were 
not there. It is a matter of truthful history that there 
General Lee intended to ration his troops, but his order 
had been disobeyed. I had not seen General Lee in four or 
five months before that morning. On reaching the little 
village we were halted and allowed an hour's rest, and 
nearly all of us fell asleep. It was there I saw General 
Lee on an old traveler, surrounded by a few of his staff. 
He looked very serious, as if he were brooding over the 
disappointment that we had met in getting no rations. I 
heard him call "William, come here," and another General 
approached him, and after a few moment's conversation, 
and pointing with his finger to the left of our line of march, 
"William" rode off and I was told that that was General 
Lee's son, W. H. F. Lee, who commanded a brigade of cav- 
alry in Fitzhue Lee's Division. Some of the boys went 
foraging around among the women of the place and got a 
little something to eat, and divided around with others, but 
it was mighty scant, for that country had been stripped. 
We moved on and in the evening we heard firing in our 
rear. The Yankees advanced cavalry had overtook our 
rear, and a small fight occurred, but we moved on undis- 
turbed until late in the night when we halted and marched 
a few steps out of the road and was ordered to rest on our 
arms. We were nearly exhausted and rest at that time was 
a blessing to us ; beside being exhausted and worn out our 
stomachs began to pinch for something to eat. The boys 
were just hungry enough to have whipped two or three 
lines of battle had there been any prospect of capturing a 
well filled haversack which was usually the case. It was 
said that an empty stomach made a soldier doubly fierce, 
any way, our boys was willing to run the risk if an oppor- 
tunity had been offered. We rested until morning, and 
moved on. We still were in the dark as to our destination, 
but camp rumors were always afloat, and rumor had it that 
we were on our way to form a combination with Johnston's 
army, when we would combine and whip Sherman, and 
then about face and whip Grant. Such were the rumors 
on the march. Late in the evening we heard the sound of 
cannon and small arms on our right, to our left, and in 
our rear, which indicated that the Yankees were m hot 
pursuit, and was attacking the troops that were marching 
along different roads parallel with us, but they let us alone. 



230 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

On the march that day we were under strict orders to 
march in line, no straggling allowed as it was expected 
that we would be attacked. We pased by a large tobacco 
barn, and men from other commands, mostly stragglers, 
were in there helping themselves. I told the boys to stay 
in ranks and I would go in and try to get some for them. 
I went in and there it was in abundance in the hank, pack- 
ed in hogsheads ready for shipment. I run my sword under 
a tier of it about two inches thick and prized it up, running 
my sword through the center, I threw it across my shoulder 
and moved in quick time until I overtook the company, 
when it was distributed among all that wanted it. It was 
fine natural leaf and good to smoke around the camp fires. 
I don't remember how far we would go in a day, but some 
days not very far as we would have to wait on our wagon 
train that was preceeding us, as we could not afford to let 
them get in the rear for fear of capture. Late in the even- 
ing of the 7th we arrived at a little village called Farm- 
ville, situated on the Appomattox river. Before we arrived 
we heard firing on our right, caused by the Yankees trying 
to capture what was known to us as the high railroad 
bridge across the Appomattox on the railroad from Lynch- 
burg to Richmond, but they failed. As we marched through 
the town a distribution of meat was going on, by throwing 
it promiscuously into the crowd. I ran out to where it 
was going on and entered the scramble for a piece. They 
were small home made bacon sides, and would sail like a 
piece of pine bark. As they would come over I would try 
and stick my sword through them, and after several at- 
tempts I finally succeeded, and had to hug it in my arms 
to keep some fellow from taking it away from me. It was 
small, but I divided with the men. We were hurried across 
the wagon bridge that spanned the river, and ascended a 
long hill. The sun was about one hour high. We were 
halted on the hill and our regiment was ordered back 
across the river and through the town, halting on the outer 
skirts on the same road that we had just come in on. We 
were not formed in line, and no one knew for what pur- 
pose we were sent back. We only remained a few minutes 
when we were ordered to retrace our steps and recross the 
river. Just before we reached the bridge we were ordered 
to double-quick, and when we arrived at the bridge they 
were making ready to set it on fire. We marched up the 
hill and rejoined our brigade, but by this time the sun was 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 231 

setting and a terrible fire of small arms had broke loose up 
the river from where we were, accompanied by a terrible 
huzahing. All eyes were turned in that direction, and to 
our astonishment our cavalry was in full retreat and the 
Yankee cavalry in pursuit. Our fellows run right into the 
river and made their escape. The river was shallow, with 
low banks, and a crossing was easy. Two or three pieces of 
our cannon was brought to bear and with a few well direct- 
ed shots of shell put a stop to further pursuit for the night, 
but they took possession of the town. On this hill I saw 
several of our brigade wagons cut down and papers of the 
brigade scattered on the ground, there were some of our 
regimental papers lying around loose. I looked upon them 
with suspicion but said nothing. When dark came, we were 
marched off in the direction of the high bridge to our right, 
and coming to some troops in line we quietly took their 
place, when they were marched off to the rear. It proved 
to be the 6th Alabama and Co. "B" (the Henry Greys) of 
that regiment was from my town in which I had school- 
mates and kin-folks, but I could not get the chance to speak 
to them. Both the bridges had been burned, which put a 
check on the Yankee's advance until morning. We re- 
mained in line until two or three o'clock the next morning, 
when we were roused up and quietly fell into line and moved 
back up to the road, and pursued our journey. We had 
not marched over a mile when we turned off to the left and 
went marching through fields and woods. It was very dark 
and I noticed that occasionally we would pass a man stand- 
ing still, and I learned the next day they were guides placed 
there for us to march out of a snare that we were in, how- 
ever, we marched on without being molested. As the day 
was breaking we came to a large white house surrounded 
by numerous outhouses, and a beautiful oak grove. We 
passed right through and came across some artilleryment 
burying two twelve pound brass Napolean guns. Their 
horses had give out and rather than for them to fall into the 
hands of the Yankees they preferred to bury them. We 
passed on through fields, crossing numerous fences, ditches 
and gullies, and through thickets for several miles when 
about nine o'clock we came to a road. Marching down a 
long slant, we crossed a large branch with no bushes on its 
sides at all. There was a belt of woods in front, and the 
creek was about half way the clearing, some four hundred 
yards wide. We marched in this piece of woods and the 



232 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

whole brigade halted and stacked arms. It was reported 
that crackers would be issued to us there. I noticed a hill 
to our right that had four guns in position, pointing to the 
rear, as if they were expecting an attack. While waiting 
here I took four canteens from some of the boys and went 
back to the branch to fill them, and to bathe my face and 
hands. Several others came for the same purpose, and 
was scattered all along above and below me. I filled the 
canteens the first thing I did, and laid them on the bank 
with the straps all together. While down enjoying the 
bath, I heard a cavalry horn sound in the woods from our 
rear; I looked up and here came a scattering line of blue 
coats on horses. My God ! this wont do for me, and I leaped 
up on the bank, snatched at the canteen straps, and with 
hat in the other hand I made a hasty retreat toward my 
command in the woods. Zip ! zip ! zip ! came their bullets, 
Halt! halt! they yelled, but I had no notion to halt. The 
bullets would pass over, some would strike the ground at 
my sides, but I stooped low and kept moving. Others to my 
right and left were doing the same thing, while some clung 
to the side of the branch and would not run, preferred to be 
captured. Boom! boom! went our cannon on the hill and 
the Yanks fell back to the woods from whence they came. 
We fell in and moved off, without the crackers. Another 
false report. About eleven or twelve o'clock we heard firing 
in every direction except the front. Some cavalryman 
would pass occasionally and would give bad reports of 
what was going on. In the afternoon Sheridan's Cavalry 
had become extremely saucy and had assumed the boldness 
to charge right into a line of infantry and had been so suc- 
cessful until they had captured thousands of our men. It 
was understood by our commanding officers that at a cer- 
tain place they would charge Fields' Division. We were or- 
ganized. We had not become panic stricken, and were 
ready to give them a warm reception. Each regiment 
formed and marched in a square for several miles. The 
men loaded their guns and put on their bayonets and didn't 
care a whit if they did come. We passed over the threat- 
ened point without being disturbed, resumed our position in 
line, and move don. Late in the evening; we heard the boom- 
ing of cannon in our front. What could it mean? Was it 
possible that the Yankees had got in our front? Yes, they 
had established a strong line squarely in our front, and was 
disputing the further progress of our advance, led by Gen. 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 233 

John B. Gordon's Corps. The firing seemed to be four or 
five miles in our front, and was very rapid at times, but 
we heard no small arms. We marched on slowly, the sun 
was nearly setting, and we all began to think that some- 
thing was going to happen, and that tomorrow we would 
fight a battle. About sun-down we were marched out of 
the road to the left, ordered to stack arms and rest. We 
had some coffee, and the men began to make fires to boil 
as it was the first chance they had had since leaving winter 
quarters on the second. Captain Waddell, who had been 
marching in the rear in command of the brigade sharp- 
shooters came in late in the night and reported that a large 
force were forming in his front and that he expected to be 
attacked early the next morning and said if they did we 
would hear something. We slept soundly and was up early 
making coffee, for that was about all we had to stay the 
stomach. We fell into line and marched back about two 
hundred yards, and formed line of battle to await an at- 
tack. I expected to hear Waddell's skirmishers every mo- 
ment, as they were half mile to the front. Pulasky Kirk- 
land, of my company, had a little meal that he had brought 
all the way from winter quarters, and he had it "made-up" 
and in a frying pan, trying to cook it on fires that had 
been made by some other troops who had just left there. 
We kept moving, sometimes to the right and then to the 
left, but only a short distance at the time. Pugh, as we 
always called him. remained with his frying pan and bread, 
all the time watching us in order that he would not be left 
too far. He stuck to his job, until he got it so it would 
stick together and picked up his pan and ran to where we 
were. There were more fires, and he would put his pan on 
and cook a little more, and in this way he got it done, broke 
it up, handed me a piece and put the balance in his haver- 
sack. It was amusing to see him running from fire to fire 
putting his pan on to cook. There was no such thing as 
throwing it away or leaving it for some one else to get. 
It was too precious to waste. I really did enjoy it. Nine 
o'clock came. No firing to be heard anywhere, what could 
it mean? Presently we saw General Lee pass through our 
lines going towards the Yankees, followed by two of his 
staff. A report came that Lee had surrendered. What ! I 
didn't believe a word of it. After he passed we were 
marched back to our camping ground of the night before. 
Stacked arms and ordered to rest. The road was not far 



234 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

off, and hot riders were frequently passing to and fro, in- 
quiries being made as to the report. By twelve o'clock the 
news was confirmed that General Lee had surrendered the 
Army of Northern Virginia to Gen. U. S. Grant, command- 
er of the Army of the Potomac. Now what. What next. 
Here we are surrounded by one hundred and fifty thousand 
Yankees. What will they do with us, that was the topic 
of the conversation. Captain Waddell came in with his 
sharpshooters unarmed, he dismissed them to go to their 
several commands, (as they were made up by detail from 
each regiment.) Before leaving his position, a Yankee 
captain advanced under a flag of truce and told him Lee had 
surrendered, but as he had had no official notice he held 
his position and would have fired on the Yankees had they 
advanced, but it was not long before he was ordered in, 
but before leaving he assembled his men and had each man 
to break his gun against a tree. He was mad. That was 
Sunday evening, April 9th, 1865, and in the latter part of 
the evening the Yankees began to form a solid line around 
us, making escape impossible. The bands came up to the 
line and played for us to our heart's content. We talked 
freely to each other, as nothing had never happened. They 
divided their crackers with us as much as they could, for 
they were short themselves. They were proud that the 
war was over with us, and never cast a slur or reflection 
on our downfall nor gloried in their victory, but rather 
commended us for our bravery and courage under such ad- 
verse circumstances from the beginning. They treated us 
gentlemanly. We passed the night quietly, but I could not 
realize that it was a fact, that the war was ended, and I 
had been spared to live through. The next morning we 
were informed that we were going to be paroled and al- 
lowed to return to our homes. Glorious thought, but would 
I ever live to get there and how ? that was the question. A 
thousand miles from home on foot, without money or any- 
thing to eat, and the prospect looked gloomy to me, but all 
these things I kept to myself. That evening General Lee 
pased down the road near our camp on old "Traveler" on 
his way to Richmond, his home. A score of us ran up to the 
road and bid him farewell. He acknowledged by pulling 
off his hat, and with tears trickling down his cheeks bowed 
his head. There my eyes beheld for the last time my be- 
loved commander, the grandest man in every particular 
that America had ever produced. Not even his enemies 



RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 235 

North has ever used any harsh criticisms, but rather ex- 
tolled his virtue as being one of the greatest of Americans. 
On the morning of the 11th the Yankees issued to us a 
small ration of beef, the best they could do. I went up to 
where General Perry's horses were fed, and picked up a 
good quantity of scattered corn that they had dropped. I 
carried it to camp and washed it, put it into a pan and 
parched it brown. I broiled my beef on a stick until I got 
it brown and with that and my parched corn and coffee, I 
appeased my hunger. That evening Capt. James W. Stokes, 
who was captured on the 9th had been released and he hap- 
pened to come to my camp in search of his command. He 
was a friend of mine, and commanded a company from 
Abbeville, Henry County, Alabama and belonged to the 60th 
Alabama. He looked very much depressed. I divided my 
rations with him, which he greatly appreciated. We have 
talked of the circumstance many times since the war ended, 
and he never did lose his gratitude toward me for that one 
act. It was a source of pleasure to me to hear him tell how 
he appreciated the parched corn and coffee, and I always 
felt glad that I divided my last morsel with him, but he has 
crossed over. On the morning of the 12th, our brigade 
formed and marched two miles to Appomattox Court 
House and stacked arms in front of a Yankee brigade stand- 
ing at "parade rest" twenty steps away. They were as 
orderly as could be, not a jeer escaped their lips. No guy- 
ing, in fact, nothing was said or done as I heard or saw 
while we were in prison to make us feel hacked. After we 
stacked arms we went back to camp, and received our pa- 
roles and that evening we set out on our long journey for 
home "sweet home." Our route lay across the states of N. 
C S. C. and Georgia. The next day we got plenty to eat, 
and i felt happy that after so many hard fought battle I 
had escaped and was on my way home to mother. I 
marched at leisure and fared well on the way, except I was 
a little sick two or three days and did not go far neither 
day, but I made the trip without accident and arrived at 
home on the 7th of May. 0! how happy I was, found all 
well, and mother looking for me. She had been told that 
I was spared and was on my way home. She was looking 
by day and listening at night for the sound of footsteps 
from her only soldier boy. I was not twenty-one till Au- 
gust. I have lived to see the sunny South reinstated and 
now in her granduer, occupy an envious place in the eyes 



236 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

of the world for chivalry and patriotism as American citi- 
zens. The "Tomahawk" has been buried, angry huzas and 
Rebel yells have ceased to be heard, and peace reigns in 
our Southland today. And now, kind reader, I bid you 
adieu. In the first part of this book I told you how I got 
in and now I will tell you how I got out. Here it is: 

Appomattox Court House, Va. 

April 10th, 1865. 

The bearer, 1st Lieutenant W. A. McClendon of Company 
"G," 15th Regiment of Alabama Infantry, a paroled pris- 
oner of the Army of Northern Virginia, has permission to 
go to his home, and there remain undisturbed. 

A. A. LOWTHER, 
Colonel Commanding 15th Alabama 
Regiment. 




RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 237 



SONG "LONG AGO." 

By J. M. Carmichael, Ozark, Ala, 
Air : When You and I Were Young, "Maggie." 

Long ago we were boys in the ranks comrades, 

Our hearts light and happy as the day, 
Cheeks were ruddy, eyes bright, locks dark, comrades, 

As we marched from our homes far away. 

CHORUS. 

But now we are aged and gray comrades, 

The trials of life are nearly done, 
But to us life's as dear as it was comrades, 

When you and I were young. 

Then we were young as the day dawning, 

And hopeful and sanguine and brave. 
No fear and no cringing, no nor fawning. 

Brave men not afraid of the grave. 

CHORUS. 

Long ago we were marching away comrades. 

Our flags to the breeze gaily flung. 
Our bosoms were bare to the foe comrades. 

When you and I were young. 

CHORUS. 

Long ago we were camping in storms comrades. 
Our courage and muscle tautly strung, 

But no army could drive us away comrades. 
When you and I were young. 

CHORUS. 

Long ago we were falling fast comrades. 

Our ranks daily much thinner grew. 
Our courage the cause could not wm comrades. 

When the men in the ranks were so few. 

CHORUS. 



238 RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR TIMES 

Staggering and bleeding alone comrades, 
Outnumbered three to one everywhere, 

The world coldly watching our fate comrades. 
Not even a sigh or a tear, 
CHORUS. 

As fall heroes struggling for homes comrades. 

So fell the soldiers in grey, 
Their honor unsullied lives comrades, 

As the time when they marched far away. 

CHORUS. 

We fell 'neath the numbers of the foe, comrades. 

We fell but are risen now again, 
In falling we lost not our love comrades, 

For that which ennobles brave men. 
CHORUS. 

Though we are aged and gray comrades. 
And the trials of life are nearly done, 

To us life's as dear as it was comrades. 
When you and I were young. 

CHORUS. 




LB D '09 



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